Marked

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Author: Joely Skye

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eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 512 Forest Lake Drive Warner Robins, Georgia 31093 Marked Copyright © 2007 by Joely Skye Cover by Dawn Seewer ISBN: 1-59998-701-5 www.samhainpublishing.com All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: December 2007

Marked Joely Skye

Dedication For my family. I’m so lucky to have you all.

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Prologue Alec Ryerson watched the golden boy move through the crowd. For his height, his was a lithe figure, his movement a kind of dance, and Alec was mesmerized. As if burnished, his hair shone gold like the rays from the sun on its way down. And while Alec didn’t normally go for blonds, this one was lovely to watch. Hot. Alec had no reason to believe the golden boy swung his way. But if Alec enjoyed watching the sun-touched man with animal grace wend his way through a crush of people, then he enjoyed it. Some infatuations were meant to last only a half hour or so. The stranger disappeared and with some regret Alec turned his attention back to the stage. Tonight the Jazz Festival crowd was out in full force. Alec soaked up the music and the people and the humid heat of a late July evening. A light breeze made the hairs on his arms rise, and his skin tingled, waiting for the next song to begin. Not that he was a jazz connoisseur, but he liked the music in the street and the woman’s voice. His body moved with the rhythm. His mind floated. When the song ended and the band broke up, he felt a momentary loss. “You enjoy jazz, do you?” The voice, low and distinct, jolted Alec back to the land of the living. Turning to look into gold eyes, Alec felt something like shock to think his fantasy had stopped to talk to him. “Uh, yeah,” Alec managed. He’d never seen eyes quite this color, brown almost, but too light. They shone slightly in the twilight. Very pretty. Under Alec’s scrutiny, the stranger’s smile, which hadn’t exactly been on full beam, faded and his expression became remote. Alec surprised himself by moving to halt the withdrawal. “I’m Alec.” He held out his hand. In this moment, he absolutely wanted the golden boy’s attention, even if Alec hadn’t a clue how he’d caught the man’s eye in this crowd. “Liam.” They clasped hands. Liam’s palm was rough, his shake firm. “I’m glad you stopped by.” Alec didn’t relinquish his grip. He hadn’t met a Liam before and Alec rather liked the name. Well, everything about the stranger pleased Alec, www.samhainpublishing.com

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including the fact they stood about the same height. Given Alec’s habitual caution, it was an odd reaction, even unwise, but Alec didn’t care. This evening he needed some kind of contact. The loneliness had driven him out of his apartment. Liam, Alec realized, hadn’t retrieved his hand, but he wasn’t quite at ease with the contact either. There was a stiffness in that arm. “You were alone,” Liam observed. Understatement of the year. “Yeah.” His gold gaze intensified. “Do you live near here?” “In fact, I do.” That remoteness again infused Liam’s face, so Alec released his hand. He didn’t push himself onto people, especially now—even before it had never been his nature. Liam’s next words were at odds with his expression. “Maybe you could show me where you live.” Alec was flattered, disappointed and nervous. He wanted Liam, had wanted him half an hour ago when he first moved through the crowd. But Alec also liked company and a little courtship before sex. Well, not everybody did. Ignoring his rising heart rate, and the accompanying fear, Alec waited for Liam’s next move. “I saw you watching me earlier.” Liam gave a smile—tentative. But Alec liked tentative. If Liam wasn’t sure of this potential hookup, well, neither was Alec. “I thought you were looking for someone.” Liam paused. “Not really.” Alec raised a doubtful eyebrow. There’d been purpose in Liam’s movement. “I was looking for you,” Liam offered. Alec had to laugh at the corny line. “Very smooth.” Liam went quiet and still. Wary, perhaps, but that was okay—Alec preferred a cautious dance. A new band started up and Alec swayed to the music. Liam watched with a ghost of a smile, then stepped closer. Alec liked the proximity, could feel the heat off Liam’s body and decided he was glad that Liam was less debonair than appearances would suggest.

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“You’re easy on the eyes, Liam.” Liam blushed at the statement, as if he wasn’t sure of his beauty. But he had to know he was stunning. “And so…?” Liam’s cool voice belied his heated gaze. Alec waited a beat, to see if Liam would say more, but words, it seemed, were not the golden boy’s forté. The music was in Alec and, ignoring his rule about strangers at his apartment, he took Liam’s hand and led him through the crowd. The heat and the music and Liam all turned Alec on. He needed these connections and for now, under a new moon, the city was safe. It wasn’t far to his building—Alec lived downtown—but by the time they’d walked two blocks, he was staving off second thoughts. Liam was a silent presence, who responded to Alec’s comments and questions with monosyllables. Alec lost some of his confidence and walking up the stairs to his dingy, tilted, one-room apartment did not help. Still, he unlocked the door and, with a gesture, invited Liam in. He promptly strode across the small space, making Alec think of a caged animal. Liam moved with a fluid strength. No doubt he was stronger than Alec had first realized. His arms weren’t thick but they were pure muscle and that observation made Alec hot again. Through his windows he heard the music. Yes, life had become all about being careful, but Alec still needed some release. “Would you like a beer?” asked Alec to break their silent stare. This was not the smoothest prefuck dance he’d been part of. “No. Thank you.” Was it Alec’s imagination or had Liam turned a little pale? He prowled again, examining Alec’s apartment. “This is my place,” Alec said blandly, insisting on the obvious. “Cozy.” Alec searched Liam’s face for contempt or condescension—the man wore expensive clothes and probably lived in an expensive place—but Liam apparently meant it. He frowned under Alec’s scrutiny.


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What the hell. Stop thinking, Alec, stop analyzing. He was so tired of it. Alec walked over, placed two hands on Liam’s shoulders. Liam went stiff. Alec hesitated, his mouth millimeters from Liam’s. Briefly Alec touched lips before backing away. Still pale, Liam now sported a red flush on his cheeks, and he seemed poised to leap. Though in which direction, Alec hadn’t a clue. Alec made a mental note: don’t pick up strangers. Not that this was a new idea. One day he would learn to be sensible. He’d lost the knack of it this past year. That evening his life had turned into a nightmare and the sense had been knocked right out of him. “Uh, Liam. Why are you here?” Alec knew his tone implied Liam was an idiot, but he couldn’t keep his frustration under control. “My mistake,” he replied with a slight sneer. Great, this was going just great. “Is it?” Alec thought it was his mistake, though not his worst one to date. Liam smiled, but there was no emotion behind it. A mask. “You’ll have to excuse me.” He reached for the door. “Am I dismissed?” Alec asked, goaded by Liam’s behavior. “As you wish.” Alec would have laughed except the hand on the doorknob was shaking. The scene suddenly shifted focus. Something had unnerved Liam, although Alec didn’t see how it could be him when he was considered rather unprepossessing. As Alec clasped his own shaking hands behind his back, a terrible sensation of fellow feeling invaded Alec. He knew about fear. He felt it now and found he didn’t want Liam to leave despite of, or perhaps because of, all these mixed messages. Horror and terror were straightforward. This awkward attempt to connect made Alec long for something more. “Hey,” he said softly. “What’s going on?” As if aware his hand betrayed him, Liam looked down. He shook his head twice and slipped out the door. Let him go. Ignoring his own warning, Alec followed. But the golden boy had disappeared so entirely that Alec couldn’t even hear him walking down the stairs. He

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wasn’t going to make matters worse by chasing after Liam. Retreating into his apartment, Alec shut the door and leaned against it. Well, that was one way to lose the mood. Alec had gone to the festival to connect with humanity, not to feel even more alone. The now melancholy music found its way into his apartment and he thought of gold hair and gold eyes and a trembling hand. Sinking into his chair, Alec pressed a palm to his heart, then fingered the rough scar through his T-shirt. Better this way, he told himself, though that reassurance felt hollow.


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Chapter One “Mr. Alec?” The small voice wobbled. Each week, Ira’s first question required bravery and a fortifying deep breath. As if Alec often snarled at children to make them cry. “Yes, Ira?” Alec smiled encouragement, looking into the eight-year-old’s round brown eyes. So serious. “Do bears dance for fun?” “Probably not,” Alec admitted. “I think they only dance when people make them dance.” Ira evidently found this a little sad. “I’m sure you’re right. The bears in the book aren’t quite the same as real-life bears.” Though Ira knew that. He just wanted a discussion. Alec winked. “Bears don’t actually speak either.” At Alec’s wink, Ira glowed. Any show of camaraderie appeared to thrill Ira no end. Which led Alec to forgive any and all questions, no matter their number. And there were many. Ira opened his mouth to say more and Alec held up a finger. “Let Sandy have her turn.” The tiny, freckle-faced girl piped up. “Mr. Alec, will you read us another Boxcar Children book next week?” “Absolutely.” “And”—here, Sandy unknowingly adopted a sly look—“a Babysitter’s Little Sister book?” As if hoping Alec wouldn’t notice the name. “’Fraid not, Sandy. That series is an acquired taste.” Meaning, the boys wouldn’t sit through those books. “But please, check out as many as you like from the library.” 10


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“I like it when you read books,” she declared winningly. With that devastating smile of hers, Alec was tempted to cave but he held firm. “Why thank you, Sandy. I like to read books.” By now Ira openly glared at Sandy in a manner that suggested she encroached on his territory, namely Mr. Alec. Oblivious, as she should be, Sandy sang out, “See you next week, Mr. Alec!” and skipped off to join her friends. Ira, alas, did not seem to have friends to skip off to. He planted himself beside Alec, placing a hand on Alec’s knee, then glanced up quickly to see if it was all right. Alec smiled casually. “I like Boxcar Children,” allowed Ira. “But couldn’t you read Harry Potter?” “Too long, Ira, for Reading Hour.” “You could break it up like other books.” “We’d never finish it. You’ll have to read it yourself. Sorry.” Ira hung his head. “I can’t read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” Alec hadn’t been thinking of that tome, but the first, shortest book. “No?” Ira shook his head solemnly. “My brother won’t let me. It is banned.” This last word was uttered with some drama. But brother? Did that mean no parents for Ira? Alec hoped not. Perhaps for unknown reasons, this brother was in charge of Ira’s book choices. “If that’s the case, I really can’t read it to you, bud.” Ira’s lower lip stuck out. “I guess not.” He gazed at Alec beseechingly. “Maybe you could tell Liam I’m old enough now.” “Liam?” The name startled Alec, though the gilded Liam he’d met two months ago should have long been scrubbed from memory. Ira blinked and Alec collected himself. “Is Liam your brother?” Unsure of Alec’s reaction, Ira lifted his hand away. But really, Alec reminded himself, more than one Liam lived in this world, and dark, curly-haired Ira did not resemble the golden boy one whit.


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“Yes.” Ira stared at his feet. “He takes care of me.” Using his signature move, he darted a glance at Alec to see how he took such information. “That’s cool.” At the affirmation, Ira’s face brightened. “I like him, even if he won’t let me read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. And Liam likes me.” “I’m sure he does.” Alec looked up to see the teacher gathering the kids together to leave while Ira resolutely ignored the activity. “You know, Ira, it’s best to listen to your brother. Wait and read The Order of the Phoenix when you’re older.” “Okay.” “We’ll see you next week.” “Okay.” Alec pointed to the other children and Ira trudged over to join his schoolmates. Mrs. Sellers’ class chanted thank you and goodbye to Alec; thirty children and three adults marched out of the library. Sharon, his lifesaver, bustled over. “It would drive me batty reading to all those squirming kids. I’m grateful you don’t mind. You’re so good with them.” Alec eyed her, trying not to show his irritation at her over-the-top praise. “You don’t have to act like I’m doing you the favor.” After all, Sharon had landed him this job at the library, and for that, Alec would be forever grateful. And it was also Sharon who’d convinced their boss Alec would be great for Reading Hour. So Alec owed her double and sometimes had to work at not resenting the obligatory gratitude. “Pshaw.” Sharon dismissed his ill-humored muttering. “You are great. Not everyone is cut out to work with kids. You should be a teacher.” Alec redirected the conversation back to the library. “Reading Hour is a good outreach program.” He had no resources for something like teacher’s college, but balked at discussing that with ever-curious Sharon. Before she could launch into her useless teacher’s college spiel, Alec asked, “Ever meet a Liam?” Alec rather hoped Liam was some burly genial guy well known at the library.

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Sharon gave the question some thought. “Once. Ten years ago. A boy.” “Huh.” The golden Liam might have been a boy ten years ago, but this really wasn’t relevant. Remembering Liam’s shaking hand, Alec frowned. “Hey, he’s not worth it if he doesn’t appreciate you.” “Nah. I don’t even know him.” But evidently Ira knew Liam, or his namesake. The following week, Mrs. Sellers’ class trooped into the library. Breaking formation, Ira ran to Alec, who had not yet entered the kids’ area. Mrs. Sellers liked to settle the class before Alec came in. She looked sharply in Ira’s direction, but didn’t call him back. He stopped inches away to stare at Alec’s stomach. “Hey, Ira. What’s up?” Ira raised his face. His big chocolate eyes, hot with angry pain, locked on to Alec’s. “Is something wrong, bud?” Alec asked softly. Very slowly, Ira nodded. Then Mrs. Sellers arrived by them. “Ira, honey—” “Mr. Alec”—Ira’s voice shook with rage—“is happy to see me.” This announced while he glared at Alec, daring him to refute his statement. “Of course he is,” Mrs. Sellers replied. “Sure am,” agreed Alec. Since Ira seemed about to unravel, Alec broke his personal don’t-initiate-contact-with-kids rule and placed a hand on Ira’s shoulder. Though the boy quivered under Alec’s palm, he moved slightly closer. “And my brother does not want to get rid of me.” Ira’s voice went higher. “He does not! He likes me!” “Your brother loves you very much, Ira, and you mustn’t listen to someone who doesn’t know better. Okay?” Mrs. Sellers’ gentle voice had steel behind it. Someone was in trouble and it wasn’t Ira, who gulped big breaths while he nodded. “Now come with me. Mr. Alec will be with us shortly.” Ira hesitated, gazing up at Alec, eyes going wider, if that was possible. “Sometimes, I remember you,” he whispered.


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Both Mrs. Sellers and Alec frowned as Ira pressed his face against Alec’s stomach and inhaled, as if breathing Alec in. Not unpleasant, but rather disconcerting because Alec couldn’t make sense of it. “Of course you remember me, Ira.” Alec patted his shoulder. “I remember you again,” Ira explained into Alec’s shirt. “Ira, come now,” Mrs. Sellers demanded in a no-nonsense voice. The boy obediently stepped away from Alec and followed his teacher back to the class. Alec tried not to feel uneasy. Mrs. Sellers usually insisted the children take turns sitting next to Alec, but today Ira again claimed Alec’s right-hand side, looking fiercely possessive. After Alec read, one of the mothers distracted Ira so Mrs. Sellers could speak with Alec. “I just want to thank you for being so good to Ira. Not everyone has your patience and understanding.” “Ira doesn’t require much patience.” She smiled, her doubt evident. “He’s a good boy, if puzzling. And he’s insecure. His brother became his guardian just last year and the situation is still new. Unfortunately another child decided Ira should be teased about this.” While Alec appreciated the information, he suspected Mrs. Sellers shouldn’t really share Ira’s personal information. Lowering her voice, she added, “The truth is, Ira hasn’t latched onto anyone like you. I can only get so close to him. He’s wary and uncomfortable. So I appreciate you going above and beyond your librarian duties.” Alec shook his head. He wasn’t exactly a librarian. He shelved books for minimum wage. But his pride wouldn’t allow him to argue the point and he let Mrs. Sellers take her leave. As the children walked out into the October sun, he waved goodbye. The following week was the last for the class till spring and Alec felt a pang of regret. He’d miss the kids, Ira was in tears, and Alec himself felt sad. Sandy gave him a

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big hug and presumably she was a leader because four of her friends promptly hugged Alec, too. The whole time Ira stood beside Alec, absolutely miserable. Alec had to make this parting a little less than tragic. “Hey, buddy, come visit the library outside of school. Bring your brother along and say hello.” Alec rather hoped Ira’s Liam was not Jazz Festival Liam. He wanted Ira’s guardian to be relaxed, comfortable, happy. The golden boy had not struck Alec as possessing any of those qualities. Ira’s face brightened with hope. “You’ll be here after school?” “Some days. Or on weekends. It depends. My work schedule changes, you see.” Regarding Alec gravely, Ira nodded. The class was gathering to leave. They’d already presented a big thank-you card, with its many scrawled names, to Alec. He chucked Ira on the shoulder. “Keep in touch, okay?” Ira grabbed Alec’s waist in a hug, fisting Alec’s shirt and breathing against him. Alec didn’t know what to make of the gesture as Ira seemed to be both nuzzling and smelling him again. “It’s okay, Ira,” Alec said awkwardly. Before he had to detach himself, Ira voluntarily let go and walked away. When the library emptied out, Alec opened the card and read through the messages. Sandy’s I heart you Mr. Alec stood out in neon pink. Ira’s nondescript scrawl was more difficult to find—Thank you Mr. Alec. Your Best Friend Ira. Alec’s throat went thick with emotion. He hoped life got easier for the boy. He hoped Liam was a good guardian. Sharon walked up and looked over his shoulder at the childish, colorful card. “They are so cute at that age, aren’t they?” Alec sighed. Y That night at dinner Ira announced, “Mr. Alec wants me to keep in touch.” Suppressing a groan, Liam found himself extraordinarily interested in the food on his plate—roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. Casey made great meals. He and Ira www.samhainpublishing.com

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were lucky to have her as their housekeeper. While not a mother, she was definitely a mother figure. Which had been the plan when— “Liam?” prompted Ira, forcing Liam to address the matter at hand. He raised his gaze from the table. “Yes?” Ira just looked at him with his big eyes. “Oh, right.” Mr. Alec. “Good!” Bad. Liam didn’t want to see Mr. Librarian ever again after that embarrassing abortive hookup last summer. At Liam’s forced cheerfulness, Ira frowned. “Good what?” “Keep in touch.” He pointed a fork at Ira. “Why don’t you write Mr. Alec a letter?” “He meant, keep in touch by visiting. He said, come say hello.” “Ah. I see.” Liam chewed on his mouthful of beef, biding time. “Well, I’ll ask Casey to take you to the library next week. How about that?” “Can’t you take me?” No. “You took me to the library in the summer when I said hello to Mr. Alec.” Mr. Alec, for better or worse, hadn’t seen Liam. Only Liam had seen Mr. Alec. Liam had wanted to make sure the legendary librarian was nice enough to deserve Ira’s undying devotion. Fortunately, Mr. Alec had been everything that was kind and friendly. He’d also seemed genuinely fond of Ira when few normal people got past the boy’s slightly odd behavior. “Don’t you like the library anymore?” asked Ira, puzzled by Liam’s reaction. “Of course I like the library.” “You look unhappy.” Ira’s forehead puckered in worry, something Liam could not withstand. “I am not unhappy,” declared Liam. “I like the library. If you want, we can go tomorrow morning.” After all, he didn’t actually have to meet Alec. He could always lurk behind bookshelves or something. Ira bounced in his seat. “I hope Mr. Alec is there. He wants to see you.” Liam went still. “I doubt very much that Mr. Alec…” ever wants to see me again.

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“He wants to meet my brother,” Ira insisted. “He said so.” “Ah. Very good.” Shit. Y He could sacrifice pride for his brother. He could. Liam hoped to avoid Alec but, as they walked towards the library, Ira vibrated with excitement. If Mrs. Sellers hadn’t talked of it early on, Liam might have been alarmed by Ira’s attachment. “Ira just finds Alec very easy to be around. No pressure. Calm. Accepting. And I suppose a kind of constant, since Alec read to Ira’s class last year when Ms. Meadows took the grade twos to Reading Hour.” Liam couldn’t blame Ira for being wowed by Alec, though what insanity had prompted Liam to introduce himself to Ira’s hero at the Jazz Festival last summer, he didn’t know. Okay, he knew perfectly well. A wolf’s desire. It strangled his common sense and left his control in tatters. Hence his sudden and bizarre departure from Alec’s apartment. Alec had kissed him, and Liam had wanted to throw Alec down and fuck then and there without asking permission. Liam didn’t do that. “Do you think Mr. Alec will be at the library?” Liam looked down. For Ira’s sake, he had to keep his head on straight. When he looked at the hope in Ira’s face, Liam couldn’t even wish Alec wouldn’t be at work though Liam dreaded introducing himself. Hi, remember me? I’m the freak who ran out of your apartment last July. For Christ’s sake, he could survive embarrassment. Liam had survived worse. “I hope so.” “Really?” “Really. I want to get it over with.” “Over with?” Ira frowned, too serious. “Sure. Meeting Mr. Superlibrarian is a little intimidating.”


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Ira snorted, puzzled by his brother’s weird humor, but that was fine. He skipped along the last block until they reached the library’s glass door. Grabbing the wooden handle, Liam pulled, then Ira dragged him inside and up the stairs. Alec wasn’t at the front desk, and Ira slumped in disappointment. “I’ll ask.” Dutifully Liam walked over to an employee, waited until she was done with her client, and asked, “Is Mr. Alec working at the library today?” “Mr. Alec?” She stared at him, evidently baffled by his request. Or dazzled. It was hard to tell by the way she blinked at him, blue eyes not quite focused. Tilting his head, Liam indicated Ira, who stood beside him. Once her gaze lit on Ira, the woman collected herself. “Why, yes. Mr. Alec is shelving books.” She gestured towards the popular fiction section. “Excellent. Thank you.” “You’re welcome. Any time. My name is Sharon.” She gave Liam a brilliant smile and he nodded, trying not to shift with discomfort at her evident interest. He turned on his heel and thoughts of the woman fled as he marched to his doom while marshalling the energy to face Alec. Ira was already running. It didn’t take long to spot Alec crouched down, half-hidden and, indeed, shelving books. “Mr. Alec!” cried Ira. At the young voice, Alec lifted his gaze, saw the boy and grinned. Placing blunt hands on his knees, Alec pushed out of his squat. “Hey, Ira. You came to say hello.” Ira stood beside Alec, momentarily speechless, though he nodded three times. Hit by an attack of bashfulness, Ira looked down. Liam’s chest constricted. How long would his brother be shadowed by their mother’s legacy of neglect? “I’m happy to see you,” Alec said lightly. “I worried you would stop reading when your school library trips ended.” “No,” declared Ira at the absurdity, then realized he was being teased. After Alec winked, Ira’s face lit up. “I brought my brother.”

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Liam stilled and tried to control the heat climbing up his neck while Alec said, “Yeah?” and slowly looked over. But there was no shock of recognition as their eyes met. Somehow he’d expected Liam and while there was a wariness in his stance, Alec’s quick smile seemed genuine. “Pleased to meet you, Liam. You have a wonderful brother here.” At the praise, Ira glowed. “You knew my brother’s name.” Alec’s dark gaze held Liam’s for a moment, then returned to the boy. “I remember. You told me.” Eyes shining, Ira looked at Liam who, to his horror, suddenly understood his brother’s agenda. Not that Ira wasn’t genuinely attached to Alec. But he also desperately worried about his big brother’s happiness, despite all Liam did to mitigate this worry. He smiled, determined to radiate good cheer and, ha, project the impression that he was completely at ease when chatting with this cute librarian. “It’s nice to meet you, Alec. Thanks for reading to my brother. He’s certainly enjoyed his visits with you.” Liam sounded stiff, but whatever. His brother didn’t notice, and no smirk or knowing look in Alec’s expression suggested he thought Liam an idiot. “I wondered if it was you,” Alec said easily. He looked down at Ira. Liam appreciated Alec including his brother. Some people were so struck by Liam’s appearance, they ignored the boy. “I met your brother very briefly last summer.” Ira vibrated with excitement. “Really?” Placing a hand on Ira’s shoulder, Liam drew his brother to his side. The boy got overexcited at times and physical contact helped. Alec watched this interaction, and shrugged. “Sure. We just said hello.” This when Liam had known Alec was Ira’s favorite librarian, but Alec had not known Liam was Ira’s brother. Not that awareness of their connection had given Liam any advantage. He’d walked away with nothing more than guilt and frustration, and a vow never to talk to Alec again. And now look at him. A clear voice brought Liam back to what mattered here—Ira’s friendship. “Can you come to our house, Mr. Alec?” Liam winced. No way would Alec want to visit the weird blond guy.


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Alec saw Liam’s expression and answered Ira. “Hey, you visit here anytime, buddy, okay?” Ira looked up at Liam beseechingly, ready to beg next, and Liam turned beet red. There was no hiding the heat on his face, but he forced himself to meet Alec’s gaze. He’d meant it to be a look of apology, but instead he and Alec locked eyes above the boy’s head and for a moment time stood still. Liam could get lost in those eyes. Focus. “Ira,” began Liam, “Mr. Alec is busy.” Alec raised an eyebrow, as if this wasn’t true. “No, he isn’t,” declared Ira. Alec laughed. “Maybe your brother is busy.” “No! He needs a friend.” “Ira,” warned Liam and Ira stiffened under Liam’s hands. “Ira,” he repeated more softly. “That’s enough.” Alec didn’t need to know about Liam’s social life, or lack thereof. Alec crouched down to Ira’s eye level. “Go on to the kids section, okay? Then we’ll chat more.” Ira thought for two seconds before dashing off to leave Liam with Alec’s dark eyes and quicksilver smile. “Do you want to invite me over?” asked Alec, amused. “Sure,” Liam found himself saying. Alec cocked his head. “You know, I hadn’t thought you and Ira look much alike, but the way you—” “—look embarrassed?” That made Alec grin. “Something like that.” He lost his smile. “Ira’s pretty attached to me. I don’t want to overdo it when I’m such a casual presence in his life. But I’d be happy to drop by sometime.” “How about next weekend?” Liam suggested before he could really think about it and second-guess himself to death.

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“Okay. I’m not working. Saturday afternoon?” “Yep, great.” Liam dug out his business card. “It has my number if you need to cancel.” “Thanks.” Liam cleared his throat. “Ira’s had a bit of a rough road. I appreciate you being so kind to him.” Negating the effort, Alec shook his head. “It’s been my pleasure.” Y “Next week, Liam?” said Ira, appalled at the wait of seven days. “Well, Alec is working today—” “Tomorrow—” “We visit Veronica and David for the day.” “Oh, yeah.” That quieted Ira, who liked the couple. Their only real friends, Liam supposed wryly. He needed to work harder on the social front. Which he had by inviting Alec, but Ira’s classmates should be Liam’s real goal. Unfortunately, Ira wasn’t comfortable around normals his own age. Nevertheless, Alec’s pending visit satisfied Ira. He and Liam had a quiet Saturday afternoon and evening, going for a walk and reading books from the library. The next day they drove across town. Liam could always relax with Veronica. She was his kind, the only wolf he trusted. Her husband, David, put up with Liam and was good to Ira. After spending a chunk of time with Ira, Veronica called Liam into the kitchen, ostensibly to help her cut vegetables. “Ira was burbling,” she declared. “I never see Ira burble. Who exactly is this Alec?” “A librarian.” “A librarian…” She gestured for more information. “Well, Ira met him through his school.” “Oh, you’re cute when you blush.” www.samhainpublishing.com

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Liam glared. “Actually, there’s a problem. If you can believe it, Ira is trying to matchmake.” No need to mention the Jazz Festival. Veronica wouldn’t approve. She thought you should become acquainted with people before you fuck, but that never worked for Liam. No one wanted to fuck once they saw his odd behavior up close and personal. But they did want to fuck when they first cast eyes on him. “That’s so sweet,” Veronica was saying. “Sweet, cute. Ira and I are quite the adorable pair.” She flashed him a smile. “Indeed.” “Too bad David doesn’t think so.” “Liam, David likes you fine. I just have to reassure him every once in a while that we’re not going to run off together and try to make little wolfies. Never mind that my tubes are tied.” “What part of gay does he not understand?” “Don’t ask me.” She eyed him. “You are changing the subject. I think you like this Alec. I’ve never seen you blush—” “I am not blushing.” He wasn’t. Not now. “—about a guy before. But.” Here she appeared to lose some hope for the romantic scenario she was conjuring. “Do you have any reason to believe Alec is looking for a boyfriend?” “He’s attracted to me,” Liam said flatly. “I can smell it.” “That’s great.” Liam leaned forward, serious. “I can’t like him. He’s important to Ira. His class visits the library regularly and Alec reads to them. He has a way with Ira, who doesn’t normally allow people to get close. You know you and David are exceptions and that took months of rather intensive visiting.” Veronica popped a carrot in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “And yet, Ira is matchmaking.” “Perhaps it’s his way of making the world a safer place.” “Maybe you should trust Ira’s instincts.”

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Liam jerked a shoulder impatiently. She was too romantic, Ira was a child. “C’mon, Veronica. I’ll freak Alec out and that will be the end of his friendship with Ira. If Alec doesn’t call the Children’s Aid Society to boot.” “You’re clear with Children’s Aid.” “I am now. I wouldn’t be after that phone call. Besides, it’s not fair to Ira.” “You could work at not freaking Alec out. It doesn’t have to be a given. Go slow.” Liam laughed, rather hopelessly. “I was feral, too,” Veronica said softly. God, Liam didn’t want to think about that. Veronica understood, more than anyone, what being wolf and only wolf was like. But, still, her time in the wild had been different. “You weren’t feral for six years, Vee.” “No.” “During puberty.” The words were dragged out of him, despite his longing to dismiss that part of his life. Something about Veronica made him talk. “No, I was a feral adult.” Veronica’s gaze met his and it was as if he were looking into his own eyes. The gold was a rare eye color, except among werewolves. They’d figured out a while back that he and Veronica were second cousins. Their grandfathers had been brothers. “Liam, you’re not forever tainted or whatever it is you think in that pretty head of yours.” Liam shrugged irritably and tried to focus on the vegetables he was supposed to cut while Veronica continued, “Don’t give up on finding someone special. We werewolves need mates. You know that.” Crossing his arms, Liam readied himself for a you-can-find-a-mate pep talk. Madly in love with her husband, Veronica couldn’t imagine life without a mate. Liam could. He lived the life. “I have Ira to raise. That’s all I need.” She left it. “You’re a wonderful brother.” “I’m a brother.” Liam could agree with that much. “The only one he’s got. I do my best.” “No!” yelled Ira, and Liam jumped back before Ira started laughing.


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“You do remember David is good with Ira, don’t you?” Veronica said wryly though she understood Liam’s distrust of normals. “He knows boys. He half-raised his nephew.” Rounding the corner, Ira raced into the kitchen. “David says that in The Order of the Phoenix Harry gets turned into a fire-breathing dragon who becomes Snape’s best friend forever.” David followed Ira in. “Hmmm, maybe I got the details wrong.” With a roll of his eyes, Ira declared quite happily, “I know you’re wrong.” “Ira, hon, help me set the table,” Veronica asked. The boy obliged, picking up plates and following her into the dining room. David held up a palm. “I swear I did not bring up The Book.” Liam sighed. “I know. Last year I thought it wise to ban the story where Harry’s new guardian dies, but now I’ve created an obsession.” “Won’t a classmate tell Ira about the death of Sirius?” “Maybe.” It had yet to happen. “Ira doesn’t talk much at school.” David hitched a hip against the counter. “But he has a new friend, Alec, who’s coming over. That’s a good development.” Evidently David thought Alec was Ira’s classmate. Liam paused, but he just didn’t have the mental resources to talk about Alec with David. “Come eat, you guys,” Ira called, saving Liam from the need to explain Alec was an adult. And the only guy who had kissed Liam in a couple of years.

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Chapter Two The following Saturday it rained all day, a chilling rain with the occasional flash of lightning—late in the season for thunderstorms. By three p.m. Ira was bouncing off the walls. Liam wrestled him for a while, which calmed Ira and distracted him from watching the clock. But at three-thirty, Alec still hadn’t arrived and Ira’s anxiety burst forth again. Liam silently cursed Alec. At three-forty Ira said, in a woebegone voice, “He’s not coming, is he?” “I don’t know. He may just be running late.” Alec had said three o’clock, but perhaps he didn’t know about little boys and expectations, at least outside the library. Ten minutes later the doorbell rang and Ira literally leapt into the air. They both rushed to the door. Liam couldn’t help but think Alec would laugh at their eagerness, but when Ira opened the door, a sodden, rather grim Alec stood on their step. Alec and Liam stared at each other, only for a few seconds, but Liam’s heart went bang, thumping in his chest. It had never occurred to him Alec wouldn’t or couldn’t drive over. “You’re wet,” Ira declared. Alec wiped his dripping face with a hand. “Yep.” Liam collected himself. “Shit, come on in. How’d you get here?” “Bus,” said Alec rather curtly. Which meant a fairly long walk into the suburb where Ira and Liam lived. Stepping in, Alec shook off the rain. He wore a jacket, but his jeans were soaked through. “Sorry I’m late, Ira. The bus took longer than I thought.” “That’s okay,” Ira boomed, ecstatic at Alec’s presence, wet or not. Alec gave him a quick smile before pulling off his jacket. “Here, let me hang that up.” Liam made a point not to crowd Alec, even though he was so happy to see him. “Well, it’s nice to be somewhere dry,” Alec told Ira. www.samhainpublishing.com

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“Why didn’t you drive?” asked Ira, puzzled. “I don’t drive.” “You mean you don’t have a car?” Alec paused for just a moment. “That, too.” Ira looked at Liam in amazement. “Not everyone owns a car,” Liam explained. Ira chewed his lip thoughtfully. “Look.” Liam redirected his gaze to Alec. “Can I give you a pair of my sweats while I throw your jeans in the dryer? They can’t be comfortable.” “Okay,” said Alec diffidently. “Do you want a drink?” offered Ira. “I bought beer.” Amused, Alec’s face relaxed. “I think that’s illegal, buddy.” “Root beer,” Liam elaborated. “We have regular beer. As well as other drinks. Ira, take Alec to the kitchen while I find some sweats.” Jogging up to his bedroom, Liam found a warmth growing in his chest. Despite the bad weather—it would have been easy to phone and cancel—Alec had made his way over to see them. To see Ira, Liam corrected himself. As he pulled gray sweats out of the drawer, he brought them to his face and breathed them in. Unworn since the wash. His nose wrinkled at the lingering smell of detergent. Well, soon they would hold Alec’s scent. Liam had to be careful. When he liked someone, he tended to be overly physical and scare them off. Right now he liked Alec very, very much. That thought brought him up short. This afternoon was not about Liam, but Ira. And Alec was Ira’s friend. Liam didn’t want to mess with that relationship. Couldn’t afford to given Ira’s paucity of friends. Friends. Liam blinked, as he staved off a wave of loneliness. Then he set the ache aside, bunched up the sweats and walked back downstairs.

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Walking through this rich subdivision, Alec had toyed with the idea of turning around, getting back on that bus and going home to his cheap one-room apartment. He’d never thought he’d care about money—he’d certainly grown up in a place similar to this house—but now that he lived without, he found himself embarrassed by his finances, or lack thereof. But Ira was counting on him and Alec refused to be a coward today, so he’d trudged up to their house, his wet sneakers squeaking, and rung that doorbell. Obviously Liam’s business was doing great. Alec hadn’t known woodworking could pay so well. It felt odd wearing Liam’s sweats. They bunched slightly at the ankles. Though the same height, Liam had longer legs. It had been a while since Alec had worn anyone else’s clothing. His last boyfriend had been quite a bit smaller. Alec wished he weren’t attracted to Ira’s brother who didn’t like to be kissed. Feeling more comfortable, at least physically, Alec emerged from the washroom in dry clothes. Ira was waiting for him in the kitchen. “Can you stay for supper, Mr. Alec?” “Why don’t you call me Alec, since we’re not at the library?” “Okay.” When Ira ducked his head with pleasure, Alec decided that Ira couldn’t possibly pull more heartstrings than he had. Alec tried to remember the last person who cared so much about his every word and gesture. It was a little dizzying in these days of self-isolation. “As for dinner,” said Alec. “I’m just dropping by for a short while.” “We eat early.” Liam brandished a bottle of spaghetti sauce. “And, when the housekeeper is out, we eat simply. You might as well stay. It will take some time for your jeans to dry.” Alec met Liam’s golden gaze. The intensity there attracted Alec, despite his concerns. New moon, he reassured himself. New moon. He’d chosen the safest weekend of the month to venture out here. Another weekend and he would hole up at home because the moon was bright and full, shining down its terrible warning. “Please, Alec?” pleaded Ira, evidently trying out the new name.


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It was impossible for Alec to say no. “All right.” The twin smiles on Liam’s and Ira’s faces charmed him, though Liam remained a puzzle. So beautiful, so strange. As Ira brought him a root beer, Alec fell into a chair by the kitchen table. “Thanks.” He raised it. “Cheers,” he told Ira, who mimicked him, then stood staring, as if not quite sure what to do with Alec, even if his presence brought Ira intense pleasure. Alec gulped a mouthful of the sweet, carbonated drink. “So, Ira, I hear you play a mean game of Yahtzee.” Ira’s eyes widened. “Who told you that?” “Why, you did.” Alec smiled. Looking at his brother, Ira asked, “Do you want to play too, Liam?” “I’ll make dinner while you two roll the dice.” So Ira kept score and Alec made a grand total of two Yahtzees, but lost the game, while Liam grated and cut stuff on the counter. Somehow, Liam in the kitchen surprised Alec, which was silly. But he couldn’t remember the last time someone had cooked for him. Bill had done very little outside of bed, and even then… Don’t go there. Alec didn’t want to think about Bill, wherever he was. Right before supper, Liam offered Alec his freshly dried jeans. “Thanks.” Alec rose to change and halted mid-rise when Liam didn’t back up. He stood too close, breathing in, then stepped back, a slightly apologetic smile on his face. What was it about these brothers and breathing? Feeling uncomfortable, Alec took off for the washroom to change. His discomfort didn’t last because Ira became voluble during the meal, telling stories about Liam and camping. This apparently involved some cousins and friends, as well as a husky, and while Alec had trouble following the recounted events, the upshot was that Ira had a great time canoeing last August. “Do you camp, Mr. Alec, I mean, Alec?” “I never have.” His parents hadn’t taken him and after he left home, well, there’d been little opportunity. “But it sounds like fun. Someday I’d like to try.” In another lifetime, maybe. “Can Alec come camping with us next summer?” Ira asked Liam.

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Alec made a mental note not to encourage Ira in this way and expected Liam to fob off the request. “Sure.” Liam appeared to mean it. Ira beamed, which warmed Alec even if the actual idea of camping filled him with dread. “I can’t.” Alec hoped his fear didn’t shine through. He couldn’t go outside the city. Couldn’t risk it. When Ira’s face fell, Alec’s stomach sank. What was he doing here, pretending to have a normal life? He shouldn’t have come. He couldn’t make friends. Not anymore. Something more than flesh had been stolen from him last year. Taking in Alec’s expression, Liam added, “Only if Alec wants to, of course.” “Well, he does want to,” Ira pointed out. “He thinks it sounds like fun.” “Ira,” Liam warned, and Ira turned to Alec for backup. “Summer is rather a long ways off, Ira. I can’t commit now.” Alec looked up to see Liam watching him with concern. How embarrassing. His face heated up. “It’s good to plan ahead,” Ira argued. “Ira,” repeated Liam softly, no doubt aware of Alec’s discomfort, even if he’d never guess in a million years the cause. “We’re going to stop talking about camping now.” Ira hung his head. “Why don’t you get the cake,” Liam suggested. That lifted Ira’s spirits. “Want some cake? I get to serve dessert.” “Please,” said Alec, though he was full. After supper, they played Scrabble. Alec knew he should leave. However, it proved difficult to actually remove himself from warmth and company and laughter. He wondered if his loneliness was obvious to them. But no, they just seemed to like having him around—which was awfully seductive. Still, the later he left, the more unnerved he’d be on the bus ride home. New moon or no, he didn’t like to be out long after dark. At nine o’clock, Liam told Ira it was time for


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bed and, as if to emphasize that point, lightning flashed and the sky cracked with thunder. Alec was shocked by the late hour. “Alec is here,” Ira protested. “Doesn’t matter. It’s past your bedtime.” “Can Alec sleep over?” “No,” said Alec immediately, in case Liam answered, “Sure.” Alec did not feel that comfortable. His apartment was his safety hole. “It’s time for me to go.” “Will you come back?” Ira asked. Alec hesitated. “You’re welcome anytime,” declared Liam, before turning to Ira. “Now to bed, you.” As Liam opened his arms, Ira launched himself at his brother, burrowing into the embrace. Liam held on, then cuffed the boy’s head as Ira drew away. Alec was glad Ira got affection. The boy needed love, that much was clear. He wondered what had happened to Ira’s parents. The boy approached Alec with caution, not quite ready to throw himself into a full body hug. Alec patted Ira on the shoulder, which pleased him. “Good night.” He trotted off to bed. “Well, I better be off, too.” Alec stood and tried not to look freaked out by the prospect of a long bus ride home in the dark. Liam shook his head. “My housekeeper should be back within the hour. Then I can drive you home.” “That’s a pain in the ass for you.” “Not at all. The weather is godawful. No need for you to get drenched again.” “Well, thank you.” It would be a relief to get a ride, actually. Less time outside alone. Less time alone, period. By nature Alec was sociable, and the self-enforced solitude of the past year hurt. Liam nodded, turning his intense gaze on Alec, the one he’d hidden most of the evening.

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Alec’s skin tingled. He could risk this, he could. He refused to let fear dictate his every move. “It’s quite the house you have. Almost palatial.” “It’s Ira’s,” said Liam. Alec blinked. Not the answer he’d expected. Liam’s expression became guarded. “When our mother died, she left him this house. I’m just the guardian.” There must be a story in that, but Alec couldn’t guess at it, or ask prying questions. “Ira’s very fond of you,” Alec observed. “I’m glad.” “We’re a team.” The housekeeper walked in the front door then, exclaiming at the weather as she divested herself of her outer clothes and made her way over to them. Introductions were made. Casey, a friendly middle-aged woman, greeted Alec like a long-lost friend. “I’ve heard so much about you from Ira.” They shook hands. “You’re the lovely librarian who is so good to our boy.” Lovely librarian, huh. “I work in the library,” Alec allowed. She just smiled, standing there for a while, and Liam seemed happy enough to smile with her. Alec found himself shifting from foot to foot and she noticed. “Well. I’m exhausted from driving in that storm. It’s raining cats and dogs. I’m going to make myself a cup of tea and head upstairs.” “I’ll be taking Alec home,” Liam told her. “So can you keep an ear out for Ira if he needs anything?” “Of course.” They all said good night and Casey disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Alec and Liam to regard one another. “Want a tour of the house before we leave?” asked Liam. “All right,” Alec drawled, wondering what this was leading to. But he decided to trust Liam, at least a little, and followed the golden boy downstairs. Maybe Liam did want to show off the house because he pointed out a game room for Ira, colorful and full of toys. They walked into a den—the walls were lined with books, child and adult. “No TV?”


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Liam shook his head. “I had to wean Ira off the TV and computer. With our mother, the screens had become his whole life. They were making him a bit nuts.” “Oh.” “He didn’t even attend school, just sat hypnotized by electronics all day.” “Hell.” Not sure how to respond, Alec scratched his jaw. Liam gave a lopsided smile. “I didn’t attend school either.” What should he say? Well, that’s too bad. Alec kept silent. He sure didn’t feel like sharing his family background. Instead, he walked to the bookshelf and browsed, noting a bunch of science fiction. “Iain Banks fan, I see.” Suddenly Liam stood close behind him. As Alec turned, his shoulder brushed Liam’s chest and Alec found himself backing up against the shelves. “How do you do that?” Alec demanded. “Do what?” “Move without me hearing you.” Liam didn’t respond. His gaze just became heated. Alec didn’t look away. “Keep that up, baby, and you might get kissed again.” Liam’s jaw tightened and his eyes darkened. Before Alec could make a move, his feet were in the air and he went flying over the back of the couch. His breath baled out and panic seized him. What the fuck? Liam slammed down on top of him, pushing Alec into the cushions, pulling at his pants. Alec threw a hard punch, and while Liam’s expression showed surprise, he moved fast enough to duck so Alec’s fist only grazed Liam’s temple. He grabbed both Alec’s arms, pinning them above his head with a strength Alec couldn’t battle. It infuriated Alec, to be held down so easily by someone his own size. Alec aimed his knee at Liam’s balls. His attacker slid to the side. Alec pulled back a leg to kick, but Liam moved up and applied weight, giving Alec no room to maneuver. Out-muscled and stretched out on his back, all Alec managed to do was grind against

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Liam, which gave entirely the wrong message. Alec’s desire of a moment ago had fled, sick fear in its place. The terror immobilized him. So he went still, lay beneath that long, hard body, smothered between Liam and the soft cushions, hardly able to breathe under the weight and dread. Liam gripped his arms. Pinioned. He waited for Liam to grope him. Instead, Liam’s face fell into Alec’s neck and he said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Under Liam, Alec went very still. His breath came shallow and fast, and Liam knew he had to get off, though a part of him wanted to stay and nestle there, no matter how wrong it was to force your physical desires on someone else. Alec’s fear had rid Liam of his erection, though oddly enough Alec’s remained. Liam nuzzled Alec’s throat in apology, then pulled back. Alec stared, his dark eyes flat and unblinking, and Liam had the terrible feeling Alec had experienced this kind of betrayal before. “Okay,” said Liam slowly. “I’m getting off you. I’d rather you didn’t unman me in the process.” Alec didn’t react, but Liam didn’t think he was in shock. In fact, to Liam’s relief, some of Alec’s fear had receded and Liam smelt anger. He ducked his head down to nuzzle Alec again and Alec snapped, “Stop that,” even while he shivered. And now there was desire mixed in all this. But Liam didn’t nuzzle again because Alec had said stop. With his free hand, Liam gently ran fingers through Alec’s tangled hair. “Stop,” Alec rasped. But not, Liam noted, get off me. “Okay.” Liam frowned. “But you like it.” The flatness in Alec’s eyes gave way to depth, an anger, a desire. And confusion. “I wouldn’t hurt you, you know.” “I do not know.” But Alec’s body softened under Liam, even while Liam’s erection returned.


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“Tell me to stop and I stop.” Without his gaze leaving Alec’s, Liam slowly brought his fingertips to Alec’s lips and brushed them. “I liked it when you kissed me in the summer, Alec. I left before I got too intense. Like just now. But I won’t hurt you.” “That’s great to know.” The sarcasm sounded breathless. Alec’s chest rose and fell under Liam with quite a bit of effort, but when Liam stroked Alec’s cheek and forehead lightly, Alec did not say to stop. The smell of fear faded, though a wary Alec watched him. Liam understood he had to move slowly or it would end. No more alarming Alec. While speed could be a problem when he was starved for touch, Liam now had full body contact with Alec and that gave him control. Once again, Liam brought his mouth to Alec’s neck and this time he licked Alec’s fear-sweat away. Alec trembled, but did not speak and Liam couldn’t stop himself, he nipped. Alec arched his back. Liam carefully explored his neck and chin, nuzzling, tasting, kissing. Liam lifted his face to see Alec’s unfocused gaze. Still confused, but his expression was thick with desire. “I love the shape of your eyes,” observed Liam. They were lovely, the slight cant to them, holding dark brown, almost black irises. Alec licked his lips in invitation, and Liam took his mouth, plundering deep. At first, Alec just received him. Though his mouth did not fight the kiss, he didn’t respond. Liam’s free hand found skin between Alec’s shirt and jeans, and Alec jolted at the touch. Not the pants. When Liam had gone after his pants, Alec had panicked. So Liam circled Alec’s stomach, his navel, and fingertips traveled across Alec’s ribs to find a nipple. Alec’s groan was deep, long and shaky. The shakiness almost undid Liam and he strove to stay gentle. Then Alec was kissing back, his tongue mating with Liam’s, who captured Alec’s erect nipple and teased. Alec whimpered and Liam wondered how much

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longer he could hold out. Patience, he demanded of himself. This was just too important and that fear of Alec’s had been very, very real. What Liam should do was release Alec’s arms, and yet a part of him still feared Alec would jump off the couch. Appalled by that thought, Liam broke the kiss. If Alec wanted to break free, he must. They stared at each other, Alec’s eyes black, his scent thick with arousal. Taking his weight off Alec’s pinioned arms, Liam ran hands down Alec as he eased back to sitting. He placed a palm on Alec’s placket and rubbed him through his jeans. Alec pushed against him. Slowly Liam unbuttoned and unzipped Alec, then pulled down boxers and jeans. His thick, dark cock sprung free. Liam smiled, but when he looked again at Alec, the flatness to his gaze was back. The question of trust had returned and there was the faintest tremor beneath Liam. He eyed Alec and carefully—his own hand shaking at his control—touched the head of Alec’s cock with one finger. “Should I stop?” he asked, reluctant to actually voice the question in case Alec said yes. For an instant, Alec closed his eyes and Liam could barely breathe with waiting. “No.” Alec’s word. It sounded like an admission of sorts. Spreading the precome around Alec’s head, Liam slid a finger up and down the slit, and Alec turned his face to one side, saying, “God.” Liam took him in hand, with long, firm strokes, and Alec was humming. Lowering his mouth, Liam eased Alec to the back of his throat. His thumbs stroked the creases at the sides of Alec’s sac. He let Alec’s cock hit the back of his throat three times and Alec hardened, ready to spurt. Not wanting it to end this soon, Liam raised his head and watched Alec writhe while he stroked beneath Alec’s sac. He approached Alec’s hole and Alec noticed. “No.” Alec’s eyes were unfocused, his face heated.


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“No, what?” Liam kept his thumbs where they were, caressing the sensitive skin between balls and anus. Again, Alec shut his eyes briefly, his breathing unsteady. “No fucking.” “Okay.” Liam paused. “But you want it.” Still, Liam didn’t move his thumbs. This restraint was exquisite, if difficult. He was about to come in his pants. “Why do you want it and say you don’t?” Alec thrashed his head. “I’ll just touch the muscle, I won’t penetrate.” “Okay,” said Alec. Liam quickly undid his own pants and held himself. With the other hand he caressed Alec, moving his thumb down to press lightly against Alec’s hole. Alec lifted his ass off the couch. Liam bent to take Alec fully in his mouth, stroking himself and keeping that contact with Alec’s hole. Liam came first. Then Alec pressed his butt downward against Liam’s thumb and shot against the back of Liam’s throat. Despite his own jism on him and Alec’s still-hard cock in his mouth, Liam could barely move. Didn’t want to move. His whole body sang with this physical connection to Alec. But Alec felt differently and, not long after he spurted, he pulled out and away from Liam, extricating himself from the couch. Alec’s eyes were flat again. Mistrustful. As if he wasn’t quite sure what had just happened. Liam badly wanted to cuddle, but sex always seemed to end like this, with his partner wondering what the fuck had happened and Liam being unable to explain. You wanted it, Liam longed to say, but words did not convince anyone of that and any other explanation was impossible. Alec yanked up his jeans. “I’ll walk home.” Liam winced. “No. Let me—” “Please. You’ve done enough.” “I stopped. I listened to you.”

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As he jerked on his shirt, Alec’s hands trembled and Liam walked over to smell if it was fear. Some. “Back off,” warned Alec. “Just let me drive you home. I promise I won’t touch you.” The moment hung there and Liam waited, unmoving. He didn’t want Alec to walk out of the house alone. “All right,” conceded Alec grudgingly. Liam breathed out relief. Just before they left the room, Alec turned. “For the record, that’s not how I have sex. I’m a top.” “Okay,” said Liam, unwilling to argue or even ask what Alec was talking about. He could have sworn Alec wanted to bottom.


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Chapter Three Rain pounded on the windshield. The wipers frantically swept back and forth. Leaning into the corner of the seat, Alec sat as far from Liam as possible. Alec didn’t care if he was paranoid. He didn’t care if, after being thrown down, he’d given Liam the go-ahead. He wanted out of this car and away from Liam. What a nightmare. Thank God Liam didn’t try to chat, because Alec was not up for casual conversation. He looked over once, during a crack of lightning, to see white knuckles on the steering wheel and a bleak look on Liam’s face. That expression gave Alec pause and he closed his eyes. He used to be quite the sociable guy. As a child, he’d been popular. But this last year had taken its toll. He found himself rubbing his scar and took his hand away. Never mind that the scar ran his life. Liam darted a glance at him, as if he might say something. To preempt such a sally, Alec spoke two words, as levelly as possible, “Next right.” “Sure.” After the turn, Alec said, “Stop just before the lights.” Liam nodded and slowly pulled over. “Alec,” began Liam, tentative, both hands gripping the wheel, and a part of Alec wanted to stay and hear Liam out. Instead, he opened the door, jumping into the rain, and slammed it without a word. He simply couldn’t see Liam again. He’d been thrown down before and while he’d been, unwillingly, sky-high and they’d taken a piece of flesh, not a piece of ass, the similarities freaked Alec out. Or at least freaked him out after the sex. What was wrong with him? How could he have softened to Liam’s touch anyway? Alec didn’t know and it didn’t matter.

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Alec raced up the stairs. Once he shut the door to his apartment, the trembling subsided. The wolves—if they even existed—didn’t know he was here. Only Liam knew he was here and while Liam was, shall we say, a little maladroit at seduction—though not, evidently, entirely without talent—he didn’t go around drugging and biting people. He’d overpowered Alec in order to kiss and nuzzle his neck. Letting out a shaky sigh, Alec dropped into a chair. Maybe it was time to move. Leave last year behind. Without the scar, he might have thought he’d had a psychotic break or something. He’d lost his job after the bite—because he’d missed two shifts without warning. When Sharon befriended him and got him work at the library, Alec had been so grateful he’d practically abased himself with thanks. Outside of his nightmares, in which the man with cold blue eyes informed Alec he was marked as theirs, to do with what they pleased, there were no signs of werewolves in Alec’s life. No sign but the scar. Of course, Bill had been marked, too, and now he was gone, officially presumed dead. Not that Alec had ever believed Bill’s bizarre story about wolves and drugs last year when he thought Bill was full of shit, slightly unhinged, but still cute. The guilt hit hard even if Alec didn’t know what he could have done differently. Lightning flashed, Alec jumped. But it was better than the full moon and the terror that came with it. Y The next day Veronica dropped by and Liam had a pretty clear idea why. She bided her time, waiting a couple of hours into the visit to have a private chat with Liam. Eventually Ira got settled with a book downstairs and Veronica directed her golden gaze at Liam. He looked back rather grumpily. “So, how did yesterday go?” she asked. “Ira and Alec had a nice visit.” “Good.” Her gaze sharpened at his tone. “But?” www.samhainpublishing.com

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Liam pushed out of his chair and began stalking the room. He didn’t want to talk, not really. But sometimes Veronica had advice worth listening to, and Liam, despite the rather disastrous sex last night, did not want to give up Alec. “Liam,” she said in a low voice. “Did you make a move on Alec?” He had to laugh. “I guess you could call it that.” She squinted, as if bracing herself. “What happened?” “Well, I threw him on his back and he thought I was going to rape him.” She waited for the punch line. “No joke.” “Oh, Christ.” She let her head fall into her hands. “I know. I know.” Dragging hands down her face, she looked up at him. “For God’s sakes, Liam, you have to go slow with normals or it unnerves them. I told you that.” He just gazed back at her, morose. “I hope you convinced Alec you weren’t a rapist.” “I think so.” “You think so?” Alarmed, she stood. “Liam! Did you have sex?” He winced, wishing she wouldn’t say his name in horror. “He wanted it. I could smell desire on him. And he wasn’t scared anymore.” She stared at him, not convinced. “I hope Alec knows he wanted it.” “He said ‘okay’. I drove him home. That’s good, isn’t it?” A pathetic grasp at salvaging something from the encounter, but still. “Possibly,” she allowed, looking a little less appalled. “Did you throw him into the car?” Liam glared. “Very funny.” He paced again, stopped and raked a hand through his hair. “Not that he had much choice. About the drive home,” Liam added hastily. “It was absolutely pouring and would have been terrible to take the bus. He huddled in the corner of the passenger seat, far away from me.”

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Something like a groan escaped Veronica’s throat. “Did you chat while you drove him home?” Chat. Ha. “No.” “You should have said something.” Liam threw up his hands in despair. “I never know what to say. I always say the wrong thing. He was angry at me, not frightened of me. I can smell the difference.” He paused, because that was not the entire truth. Alec had definitely been rattled. “I don’t think he hates me.” “Oh, well that is certainly encouraging.” Veronica was not impressed, and for good reason. He fell into a chair. “I did it, didn’t I? Totally ruined Ira’s friendship with Alec.” “I can’t say. I wasn’t there.” She squinted at him again. She only squinted when she thought he was in a bad way. “Did you kiss?” Liam grudgingly nodded. “Did Alec kiss you back?” “Yes.” She took in a fortifying breath. “Then maybe not all is lost. Did—?” “Enough questions, okay?” Liam just didn’t think he could get into a conversation about positions with Veronica, no matter how useful her advice might be. “I messed up. But maybe not irrevocably.” “So, are you going to call him for a date?” she said with hope. “I can babysit.” He stared at his hands. “Liam?” “I don’t think so. He has my number. I can’t after…” He gestured a little wildly. “I can’t chase him now. He’d find it threatening.” He looked up at Veronica; his chest hurt. “I don’t want to threaten him, Veronica. And I’m worried someone else did.” “David forgave me our rough beginning,” she said softly. Liam really didn’t want to hear about Veronica and David. “Though I pulled him down, I didn’t throw him down.”


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“Veronica.” “Okay.” But she dragged in a deep breath, which meant she had more to say. “Enough. I’ve reached my limit. I can’t talk about this anymore. I’m going to have to leave the room if you continue this conversation.” “It’s worse, actually. I have another conversation to start.” Her tone indicated she was about to get even more serious. “About the quad.” He threw his head back and closed his eyes. Mention of the quad never failed to unnerve him, for all sorts of reasons. But the quad was far away. He wanted them to stay far away and murder themselves. “Go ahead.” “I heard from my uncle. He’s been tracking them. They’re moving east again.” Opening his eyes, Liam stared at the white ceiling. “Now tell me again. What is the reason your uncle doesn’t take out his FBI gun and just shoot them?” Veronica waited until Liam turned his gaze towards her. “Trey is no longer with the FBI.” “Okay, his rogue FBI gun. He could use that one.” “Liam, don’t act stupid.” “The quad needs to die.” “We understand that. Trey shot two of them in the head last year, if you recall, so we should really be calling them the duo, but it doesn’t have quite the same ring. Anyway, they’ve been hiding and he has to be careful. Trey is strong, but he can’t outfight Gabriel and Luke.” “He thinks he can.” “You should save your hatred for the quad, not Trey.” Liam scrubbed his face. “I don’t hate Trey. He just annoys the piss out of me.” “Alphas.” She rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t know. I never stayed with a pack.” “Nor I, and I prefer it that way.” “Well the quad doesn’t give wolf packs a good name, does it?” She gave a weak smile. “Be extra careful with Ira. They can move quickly.”

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“Oh, I promise you, they won’t get my brother back. I’ll be dead first.” “That’s not quite as reassuring as you might think.” “We’ll be careful. But you too, Veronica.” She nodded. “My uncle will visit if they get close.” An arrogant bastard, but at least Trey Walters was one of the good guys. “Don’t look so pained. Ira likes Trey.” “There is that,” Liam allowed. After his stint with Gabriel’s quad, Ira certainly did not automatically like wolves. Or people in general, Alec notwithstanding. Alec—how was he going to see him again? Liam sighed and Veronica looked at him questioningly. “I’m not thinking about the quad now.” “Alec.” She shot him a small grin and Liam supposed she liked that he was infatuated. Truth was, Liam wanted to talk about Alec, just not about sex. “You know, I wonder what drew Ira to Alec. He’s nice, really nice, and non-threatening. But other nice people at school have reached out to Ira.” “Alec must have a certain charm.” Liam snorted. Y Most nights, Liam tucked Ira in. It was a ritual he enjoyed, cuddling with his brother and arranging the blankets to cover Ira’s shoulders, whispering good night. Tonight Ira refused to settle. “We saw Veronica two weekends in a row and we saw Alec two weekends in a row,” Ira observed. “Yes, we did. We’re social butterflies these days, eh?” Liam attempted to make a joke out of his guilt. If he were better socialized, he could do better by Ira. But between the ages of twelve and eighteen Liam had only been wolf and, growing up, he’d missed too much about human society. So he made money as he did, by himself in www.samhainpublishing.com

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woodworking, letting the good quality of his products, not his social skills, sell themselves. Well, striving to be a good brother counted for something. He bent over Ira to give a hug and the boy’s arms came around his neck, squeezing tight. “I like you best in the world,” Ira declared. “I like you best.” Ira looked pleased. Pleased enough to say, “I like Mr. Alec a lot, too.” Trying not to reveal anything, especially his regret, Liam nodded. He wasn’t sure how to explain Alec to Ira. He couldn’t. “When can we see him again?” “Well,” said Liam lightly, “I thought Casey could take you to the library next weekend.” Ira blinked, going still. “Why not you?” Liam swallowed. “Alec likes you, Ira, he likes you a lot.” “He likes you, too. I can tell!” Inwardly, Liam winced. “Maybe not quite so much.” “But—” “Ira, it’s best you see Alec without me. Trust me.” Ira’s eyes were large and serious. “I’m sorry if this disappoints you.” “But you need to see Alec, not Casey.” Liam frowned. “You can look after Alec.” “Look after?” Liam repeated carefully. Ira stared up, imploring, eyes shiny with emotion. Fear. Liam was missing something here. He’d expected Ira to be disappointed, yes, but not distressed. “I remember Mr. Alec now,” Ira whispered.

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Liam shivered. A feeling of dread took hold and rippled through him. He sat on the bed beside Ira and pulled his brother into his arms. Ira clung. “What do you remember?” Liam spoke into the dark, curling hair of the boy whose mother gave her sons over to murderers to learn their trade. “I thought I had smelled Mr. Alec before.” “Last year, at the library,” Liam suggested. “Before.” Ira barely spoke and Liam had to concentrate. Ira rarely talked about the quad and when he did, it came out like this, in soft phrases and whispers—a tense body struggling to say difficult words. Liam waited, then kissed the boy’s head. Ira looked up. “They caught Mr. Alec one night, Liam, and marked him. They made me go over and lick him while he was sleeping. So I wouldn’t forget. Then one day, in the library, I remembered Mr. Alec’s smell. But he smells better now. Something was wrong with him before.” Drugged. The quad doped up their marks. Liam briefly closed his eyes. He didn’t ask Ira, “Are you sure?” Because everything, though it hadn’t been much, Ira had ever told him about the quad had been true and accurate. “When did you remember this, Ira?” He lowered his lashes, as if he’d done wrong. “A while ago.” “Days ago?” Ira shook his head. “More. Last full moon, I was sure.” Of course. Ira remembered his time as wolf when he was wolf. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Ira was supposed to tell Liam when new memories surfaced. That was their deal. Though Ira didn’t like to talk of it. Liam was the next best thing Ira had to a counselor, seeing as no counselor was going to be helpful when it came to Ira’s disturbing werewolf stories. “I’m sorry, Liam.” “Don’t be sorry. Just tell me why you didn’t tell me.” Liam took care to keep the scold out of his voice. He couldn’t stand for Ira to cringe.


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“I thought if Alec came to live with us he might tell you and then we could protect him from the mark.” “That was your plan?” Liam raised eyebrows while Ira gazed up at him, worrying his lip. “Why do you think Alec would live with us?” “Because we both like him,” Ira said simply. Leaning down again, Liam sighed into Ira’s hair. Despite himself, he asked, “You’re sure Alec is marked, Ira?” Liam didn’t want it to be so. “The quad hasn’t been here for a year, since I found you.” “I remember him bleeding when he was asleep. His shirt was red,” Ira said hollowly and Liam held him close. “Just days before you got me.” It took Ira a while to fall asleep after that revelation and Liam stayed with him, singing some of Ira’s favorite songs which ranged from “Country Roads” to “Who Let the Dogs Out”. Voice hoarse and heart heavy, Liam descended the stairs. He hadn’t wanted Ira to see someone marked as prey. He knew exactly how devastating that could be. And he hadn’t wanted Alec to know anything about the quad. It was a wonder that Alec was alive. Trey killing two of the quad members last year must have derailed their usual hunt-the-new-mark plans. Liam picked up the phone and dialed. David answered, none too pleased. He thought Liam leaned on Veronica too hard. Liam eased back when he could—he knew Veronica would willingly shoulder all his burdens if he wanted her to—but these past couple of weeks had been eventful. Veronica, as ever, sounded happy to hear from him. “Hey, Liam.” Just knowing he could share his worries, that he wasn’t as utterly alone as he had been for so many years, lifted Liam’s spirits. “Ira remembered something.” “Okay.” Tension entered Veronica’s voice as she readied herself for bad news. It hurt to say the name but Liam forced it out. “Alec. He remembered Alec with the quad.”

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“What?” “Ira says Alec is marked.” She didn’t respond right away. “Liam, Alec would be dead. They hunt their marks down or worse. Why is he still free?” Liam could feel blood pounding in his head, fear for Alec, dread for Ira and a life he had almost become part of, with their mother’s blessing. “Everything Ira has ever told me, and I know it hasn’t been a lot, has been accurate, Veronica.” “I’m not saying Ira is lying. But he could be confused. He was terribly stressed and anxious when we rescued him.” “I know. Still.” “Okay, okay.” He heard her pull in a breath. “You’re going to have to find out if it’s true.” “Oh, that’s just fucking great. Alec doesn’t want me to touch him and I have to ask him to take off his shirt. He’ll say ‘fuck you’ and he won’t mean it in a good way.” “You have to, Liam.” Another pause. “You don’t think you could seduce him? Since you want to anyway?” Liam snorted. “Alec is going to hate me by the time I’m done checking Ira’s story out.” He felt such dismay. Ah well. Alec was too decent a sort to be involved with Liam, who’d actually run with the quad. Not only that—at the time, he’d been much older than Ira. “If Alec is alive and marked, he’s lucky or clever or both. They don’t like to give up the game.” “We must have interrupted it last year when we rescued Ira and shot two of them. I’ll try to question Ira more closely tomorrow.” “How is Ira?” “A little shaky. He’s sleeping now.” “Poor kid. But he’ll be okay. He’s strong.”


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“Yes. You’re right,” Liam agreed, because his purpose in life was exactly that—to make sure his brother would be okay. About Alec, Liam wasn’t so sure.

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Chapter Four Outside of Alec’s apartment building, Liam sat on the curb. It was the least threatening place he could imagine waiting. He didn’t want to hassle Alec at work and he didn’t want to lurk by Alec’s door on the third floor. No doubt Alec would find the curb close enough to home. Liam sighed. The library closed at five p.m. on Tuesdays. Ira and Casey had seen Alec at work today, so Liam just planned to wait here. Of course Alec might be out and about for hours. That was okay since Liam could be patient and the damp cold didn’t bother him. He had a werewolf’s metabolism. An hour and a half passed. Just before dusk, he saw Alec out of the corner of his eye. Liam didn’t turn. He kept his shoulders loose, his hands dangling between his legs, his breathing regular. Let Alec choose to approach him, though if he didn’t, Liam would have to think up another strategy. He dreaded engineering some fake surprise meeting. Given his experience with the quad, Alec would not take stalker behavior in stride, no matter Liam’s motives. Alec stopped and, after what seemed an eternity, walked over. He didn’t offer a greeting. Looking up, Liam attempted a smile. “Um, hi, Alec.” “What are you doing here?” Alec stared down, dark eyes flat and dull, and Liam didn’t think just the sight of him made Alec unhappy. He looked beaten down. Liam pushed himself to standing and dusted off his hands. Alec stepped back, as if he knew Liam wanted to kiss him. Alec’s mouth was perfect, the way it dug up when he was pleased or down when he was not. Like now. Still, sexy as hell. Alec began to glower at the inspection. Don’t show dominance. Liam looked away. “Would you like to go for coffee?” “No.” Liam scratched the back of his head. “Everything okay?” www.samhainpublishing.com

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“Why wouldn’t it be?” Because you’re marked. “Ira is worried about you.” Okay, true, but a stupid thing to say. Alec frowned and stayed silent. Obviously he didn’t think it his job to make conversation. Liam wasn’t sure how to move forward. This meeting had gone more smoothly when he’d played out the scene in his mind—Alec, while wary, had been happy to have company. “Look, would you stop staring at me like that?” Alec demanded. Crossing his arms, Liam turned slightly. What he really wanted to do was slink away before he revealed just how awkward he felt. Especially when he longed to appear sophisticated in front of Alec. “Liam,” Alec said more gently. “I think it’s better we don’t see each other, okay?” “Well.” Liam forced himself to put it out there. He didn’t know how else to reach Alec. “I rather like you.” “Sorry.” The dismissal would have hurt more if Liam hadn’t smelled Alec’s panic. “Alec,” Liam said quickly because Alec was turning to go to his building. He looked back, tensing up. “I wouldn’t hurt you.” Alec held up a hand. “Never mind. Just drop it, okay? And leave me alone.” “Who do you see?” Alec paused. Liam answered his own question. “No one. You hide out here on your own.” Breathing too hard, Alec just stood there. Don’t reach for him. Do not reach for him. “Why?” Unconsciously, Alec lifted his right hand to the left side of his chest and Liam’s stomach gave a sickening lurch. “Look, I’ve had a real crappy day and…” Alec’s shoulders slumped. He shook his head. “What the hell. It doesn’t really matter, does it? Nothing does. Come on up.”

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It mattered and it wasn’t the most enthusiastic of invitations, but Liam took it.

Trudging up the stairs, Alec didn’t see how his day could get worse, but Liam could always prove him wrong. His job, Alec was going to lose his job. It was the only thing he had. The only thing. Books and kids. They kept him grounded. He would unravel when his life became a complete void. Sharon. Alec rolled his eyes. Always so enthusiastic about his “lifestyle”—not that he even had a lifestyle these days—and while it had grated on his nerves to have her work the fact he was gay into most conversations, he had accepted it. Because she meant well and because she had got him the goddamned job in the first place. But today Sharon had been loud. Their boss overheard “boyfriend” and wanted an explanation. Okay, legally he couldn’t fire Alec for sexual orientation and Alec was probably overreacting but, fuck, he could not afford to lose the job. It would be simple to claim Alec had no credentials. Since he didn’t. Sharon had helped him lie on the application form. It wouldn’t take much effort to show that Alec had been hired on false pretenses. And now Liam was here, sensitizing Alec’s skin and shaking his nerves. He dug in his pocket for his keys. Beside him, Liam stood, ever watchful. Graceful, sexy…and totally bizarre. A stalker to boot. Alec’s taste in men had gone down the toilet these last two years. He hadn’t thought he could do worse than feckless Bill. Alec walked in, threw his keys and wallet on the table and went to the fridge for a beer. He opened one for Liam, silently gave it to him, then sat on a chair. He would not speak, dammit, though Liam evidently felt at a loss for words. A part of Alec wanted to help out, but he didn’t have the energy to make awkward conversation. He didn’t even have the energy to look at Liam. Those golden eyes and beautiful face made him weak in the knees.


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Liam sighed, exhaling shaky despair. When Alec lifted his gaze, Liam immediately did the same. The golden boy looked a little lost. Which didn’t explain what he was doing here, even if it eased something within Alec. “Are you going to jump on me today?” Alec asked. Liam grimaced. “No. I’m sorry about the other night.” Alec guzzled some beer, ignoring the apology. “Then why are you here?” Avoiding Alec’s eyes, Liam muttered, “I have a request.” “Okay.” That sigh again. It rather got to Alec. If either he or Liam were halfway normal, they might be able to start something. But not like this, not like this. Liam hunched forward. “Yes?” demanded Alec, impatient. “Would you take off your shirt?” Liam winced while he asked. “No.” Keeping hold of his temper, Alec put down his beer and stood. “There’s your answer. You can leave now.” “Christ.” Liam looked away. The man’s desperation made Alec uneasy. He’d invited Liam up because he just didn’t care about anything. But apathy never lasted long and he was beginning to care enough to be unnerved by Liam’s behavior. “I want you to leave.” “Look.” That intense gaze of Liam’s pinned Alec. “I promise you I will be out that door in a heartbeat. Just take off your shirt.” “No.” This was fucking stupid. A fucking stupid end to a stupid day. The hottest guy Alec had met in years had asked him to take off his shirt and it made him angry. Alec had the urge to slug Liam. With apology in his eyes, Liam set aside his untouched beer. “Oh, no.” Alec backed up and Liam followed him. “That’s all, Alec. That’s all.”

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“I don’t want to,” said Alec between gritted teeth. He didn’t know what Liam expected to see. His chest wasn’t bad, but the scar marred everything, inside and out. It made him sick. Liam reached for him and Alec jolted back, hitting the wall. “Shhh,” soothed Liam, and Alec considered fighting and fighting hard. His heart was pounding now but not entirely out of fear, and wasn’t that fucked. Did he like feeling threatened by Liam? What the fuck was wrong with him? “Okay, okay.” Liam touched Alec’s neck. Alec glared at him, furious his body and his mind were not in sync. To be ordered to take off his shirt and not fight it—everything was wrong with that scenario. Slowly unbuttoning the shirt, Liam avoided his eyes, his expression grim, not full of desire like last time. Confusion made Alec jerk sideways and, grabbing his shoulder and waist, Liam pinned him against the wall. “Hold on,” Liam murmured. “Please.” When Alec didn’t move he returned to the last of the buttons. “What the fuck are you doing, Liam?” hissed Alec. His pulse was beating in his neck now. Fear, because Liam would soon see the bite. Even if Liam didn’t know where it came from, Alec did. Liam looked down as if bracing himself. Alec didn’t know what Liam was waiting for because the buttons were all undone. Taking a deep breath, he brushed the shirt to the side to reveal the ugly, torn flesh—healed, yet the angry, red glare of it radiated. Or so Alec felt. Sometimes he thought the scar was alive, infecting him. Liam stared, as if memorizing the hideous pattern. “Dog bite,” claimed Alec, needing to take away the mark’s power. For the briefest of moments, Liam let his forehead drop against Alec’s, and Alec caught a glimpse of a white, bloodless face. Then Liam pulled the shirt closed again and stepped back. Christ, this hadn’t gone at all as Alec expected.


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“Satisfied?” asked Alec, all bravado. There wasn’t much else left of him right now. He’d forgotten to eat today. He was living on air. Stricken, Liam met his gaze. “I’m sorry.” “You’re sorry.” Alec stepped towards Liam. “What the fuck for?” Liam opened his hands but that was no answer. Pressing his palms against Liam’s chest, Alec shoved, causing Liam to stumble back. He frowned. “Alec?” “What is wrong with you?” Alec went to push again and this time Liam grabbed Alec’s arms, holding him in place. Alec struggled. “Let me go.” Surprisingly, Liam obeyed. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.” Alec couldn’t make sense of what was going on and he didn’t know if it was his fear or Liam’s actions. Liam tried to bring his palm to Alec’s cheek, and Alec smashed a fist against Liam’s wrist. He didn’t even wince. “Calm down,” urged Liam. “Take off your pants.” “What?” “That’s what you’re here for, isn’t it? To fuck.” “Alec—” “But I’m going to fuck you.” “No—” “No? What kind of ‘no’ is that?” Liam just looked baffled. “No, you’re a top? No, you’re in charge. No, you can beat the crap out of me if you want? You already proved that the other day.” “Alec, c’mon. I am not…” But Liam stopped talking as Alec grabbed the waist of his pants and yanked Liam towards him. Alec waited for Liam to fight, but he stood still

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while Alec unbuttoned and unzipped him. When it was time to step out of his pants, Liam even leaned on Alec. Warm hands caressed Alec’s neck and shoulders. Alec slapped the hands away, and Liam stared back confused, not understanding that Alec was absolutely spoiling for a fight. “This is fucking, Liam, okay? That’s it. Then you leave and you don’t come back. Turn around.” Liam slowly shook his head while Alec shucked off his own jeans. He was dripping. Liam noticed and Alec managed to take satisfaction at the golden boy’s interest. Liam reached for him and Alec caught his wrist. He just could not submit tonight. Too wired, he was dying to be in control of something. “I want you on your hands and knees,” said Alec. At a loss, Liam licked his lips, and once again Alec shoved him back when he didn’t expect it. As Liam stumbled, Alec stuck a foot behind his leg and knocked him down. Of course, Liam rolled with the fall. He was too graceful to hurt himself. “Jesus, Alec.” Liam actually sounded pissed. Alec landed on top of him, seizing his arms to pin him down. But Liam grabbed Alec, too, and they grappled. Alec didn’t care if Liam was stronger. Alec was angrier and he pushed down on Liam, who watched with some consternation. Before Alec could press his advantage, Liam turned and Alec landed on his side. “Fuck,” he swore as Liam used his weight to get Alec on his back. He fought harder now, hard like he had that awful day a year ago when they’d slammed him on his back and forced liquid down his throat. Why the fuck he was reenacting this scene with Liam he didn’t know. The wolves hadn’t wanted sex. God knows what they had wanted. Alec still couldn’t make sense of the nightmare, despite the way his mind had returned to that scene again and again. Liam proved to be as strong as the wolves had been but, unlike them, took care not to hurt Alec. Liam is here, not wolves. Alec tried to hold the panic in check. He’d stopped wrestling and so had Liam. To Alec’s mortification, he realized he was gasping with fear while Liam held him close and made shushing noises, trying to soothe with his body and


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his voice. As if to bring Alec full circle, though Liam couldn’t know, he dipped down his golden head and kissed the ugly scar. Licked it, and Alec shuddered. Liam raised his face. “Is this how you usually have sex?” “Just with you.” Alec could barely get the words past his thick throat. “It doesn’t have to be like this.” The longing in Liam’s face made Alec shiver. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” The words escaped before Alec could stop them. Liam’s gaze, gold and dark with desire, was too much and Alec looked away. Liam sank into him, nuzzling his neck. “You sure do like my neck,” Alec muttered. “And, you know, I don’t know what’s wrong with you either.” Liam brought his mouth to touch Alec’s, lips pressing, testing a little. He lightly bit Alec’s lower lip. “Okay.” Liam eased back, no longer holding Alec down and Alec—there was something perverse in him today—shoved Liam to the side, ready to fight again. Liam rolled, Alec came on top and Liam wrapped his arms around Alec. His stiff cock pressed against Liam’s stomach. “Let go, or I’ll headbutt you,” Alec warned. “You wouldn’t hurt me.” Liam lifted his head to kiss and Alec pulled back. Liam was an idiot. Or not, because Alec couldn’t bring himself to actually slam his forehead against Liam. He just held himself stiffly above, still captured in Liam’s arms. It wouldn’t take much for Liam to wiggle down, get his cock free of Alec’s weight and press against his butt. The idea made him harder. But Liam rolled again, trapping Alec on the floor and, before Alec could complain, Liam’s tongue swept through his mouth, demanding a response. Alec forced himself not to react. Liam retreated, though not entirely, coaxing Alec to respond with lips and tongue. Gentle, insistent, firm, Liam was trying to make love. He took his weight off Alec and used his hands to cradle Alec’s face as they kissed. Something within Alec broke. He groaned, opened his mouth to give Liam better access and Liam plundered.

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Alec’s mind floated free of the past year. A hand caressed his neck, another skimmed along his side as Liam shifted downwards. Alec trembled and he no longer cared if he was bottom or top as long as Liam touched him and kissed him and made him forget everything else. He wondered if Liam could feel the desperation in his response. At one point, Liam tried to rise and Alec wouldn’t let go, holding him in the kiss, a hand at the back of Liam’s head. When Liam broke off the kiss entirely, Alec reached for him a little wildly, and Liam pulled him up to sitting. Wrapping himself around Liam, Alec brought his mouth to Liam’s neck and bit. Liam yelped and Alec licked. “I want to fuck you,” said Liam apologetically and pushed against Alec’s butt to show him. “I’ve condom and lube in my hand.” “Then fuck me.” So Liam had not come here without hope. He suited up while Alec slid down to nip through Liam’s T-shirt, teeth grazing nipple. Liam, who obviously wanted to be in control here, drew Alec up to position him. Alec’s butthole settled on Liam’s cock and he stiffened. It was going to hurt because Alec just didn’t know how to relax tonight. “Okay, it’s okay.” Liam’s warm hands held Alec securely. Liam didn’t charge in though Alec felt the tremor as Liam held himself in check, his cock against Alec’s rim, waiting for Alec to allow him entry. Alec would not ask Liam to go slow. A part of him wanted Liam to hurt him. He never thought like this, ever, but Liam overwhelmed him with touch, hands and legs warm against Alec’s tight skin. He strove to relax. He wanted to relax. Alec refused to say, I told you I was a top, even if Liam didn’t seem to be going anywhere. But Liam was patient, murmuring encouragement. Alec’s chest constricted—with desire and something else—not fear, but there was a struggle within, for giving himself over. He gulped breaths. Liam wrapped a hand around Alec’s neck and pressed his forehead against Alec’s. He could feel Liam break out in a light sweat and for some reason that reassured Alec. His hole responded to the pressure and slowly opened.


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Liam traced a finger down Alec’s spine to his crack, then dipped lower, touching Alec’s rim. Alec’s eyes rolled back, his hole loosened and Liam slid in. “Oh, babe,” Alec breathed. His legs turned to water and Liam held him, burying his head in Alec’s neck as if it belonged there, hot eager breath against Alec’s skin. Liam stayed still, as if Alec were fragile and to be treated with care. His thumb found Alec dripping and Liam spread precome as lubricant. Then he wrapped a fist around Alec’s cock and slowly moved, up and down. It was too much sensation, with Liam inside him and Liam’s hand around his cock. A noise came out of Alec’s chest, a loss, he hadn’t wanted this to end, he’d just begun, but he was coming too soon, spurting between them and Alec was falling. Or would have but Liam held on, kissing him again, long arms bracing Alec’s back. He barely had the wherewithal to kiss Liam back. His arms were limp, his strength lost to the golden boy who kissed as he fucked, pushing up into Alec again and again, turning Alec’s body to liquid. And then Liam’s entire body stiffened and stilled. He groaned into Alec’s mouth and Alec swallowed the noise. Don’t leave, don’t leave. This time Alec couldn’t bear for Liam to leave. He didn’t speak of his need, but he held Liam close and Liam didn’t reject him. At some point, Liam pulled out. Alec’s hole contracted while Liam stood, lifting Alec with him and laying him down on the bed. This was why Alec didn’t bottom with strangers. He totally, totally lost it. The bed was cold. He began to shiver. Liam returned and Alec shut his eyes, unwilling to hear words, explanations, goodbyes. But Liam simply covered Alec with the blanket and crawled in beside him. A warm hand cupped Alec’s cheek, then drew Alec to him. He had thought Liam would fuck and leave, but he apparently wanted another embrace. Eyes still closed, Alec turned towards the golden warmth. As Liam took him into the curve of his arms, Alec shuddered, not quite a sob.

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“Hey,” murmured Liam, full of regret, and while their regrets were no doubt vastly different, Alec rubbed his face against Liam’s shoulder to show he understood. Then he fell asleep.


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Chapter Five Before falling asleep, Liam held his new lover for more than an hour. Wolves were tactile creatures. Anonymous sex certainly provided touch, but not always affection. Liam’s desire for skin contact, especially after fucking, sometimes turned men off. He’d assumed Alec would pull away from him, as he had last time. Their sex seemed to start all wrong—Liam didn’t quite understand what had angered Alec—even if they found something right by the end. Alec sighed in his sleep, a tentative sound, and Liam just closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of skin on skin, arms, shoulders, chest, hips. Legs tangled. Oh, Alec. Liam lost his smile as he thought of Alec’s mark. It was too much to hope the quad had simply forgotten their prey. They would be back. Despite Trey tracking them, because Trey couldn’t bring himself to kill his brother Gabriel. Liam had to protect Alec; all his instincts screamed it was so. The how of it was tricky. Did Liam begin by admitting he was a wolf when Alec had been attacked by the quad? Mostly Liam just wanted to make love to Alec, communicating with taste and touch and smell till Alec trusted him completely. But normals didn’t really work that way. While debating his options, or lack thereof, Liam dozed off. When he woke, it was still dark and Alec no longer lay beside him, though his scent lingered. Liam smelled coffee. The kitchen’s dim light caught Alec’s face, serious, even grim. Withdrawn. Liam wanted to be back inside Alec when his face heated with desire, opened, welcoming Liam. As he sat up, Alec turned. He stared across the room and Liam couldn’t help it, he opened his arms. Alec didn’t move, instead he crossed his arms and Liam imitated the action. 60


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Amused, Alec laughed, though the laughter was rueful and he looked away. “I don’t know what to do with you.” “Come here.” That quicksilver smile died. “I can’t, Liam.” “You can.” Alec stood there, as if arguing with himself. “I don’t understand, Alec. You slept with me.” Alec’s lip twisted, but Liam was not referring to the sex. “You trusted me enough to fall asleep,” said Liam to make his meaning clear. “Yeah, well.” Alec shrugged, the movement abrupt. With some effort, he met Liam’s gaze. “Look, there’s something wrong with me.” “Wrong?” “I’m not entirely…” Alec seemed to grope for words, “…well.” Liam thought of disease. Werewolves healed themselves, even from the most deadly of illnesses, but he didn’t want Alec afflicted. “Like HIV?” “No, I would have mentioned that before sex.” Alec sounded irritated. “That’s not what I mean.” “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” “No. I can’t talk about it.” Liam’s chest ached for Alec, and he longed for Alec to confide in him. But they needed time. “We all have something wrong with us,” Liam offered rather haltingly. For example, I’m a wolf. Alec jerked an arm impatiently. “That’s not what I mean. I mean—” He breathed in, trying to calm himself. “I’m not good for a relationship. I think this should end tonight.” “It’s morning.” Not deigning to argue semantics, Alec looked at him levelly. Liam didn’t know what to say and even if he did, it would undoubtedly be the wrong thing. He swept the blanket aside and strode over. “No.” Alec backed up.


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“You say ‘no’ an awful lot when you don’t mean it. I don’t get it.” In the dim light, there was a slight sheen to Alec’s eyes. The idea of once again forcing himself on Alec until he submitted—Liam couldn’t face it. He held out his hand. Alec glanced at it and while Liam felt stupid, he did not pull back that hand. “Alec. You’re cold.” Wolves were always warmer than normals. Their metabolism ran higher. Avoiding Liam’s hand, Alec brought his palm to Liam’s chest and pressed. Rather like last night, but instead of shoving with both hands, Alec exerted slow, even pressure, forcing Liam to walk backwards. It went against all his instincts. He was alpha and in charge, but he had to cede Alec some control or they would not end up in bed again. When Liam’s legs hit the futon, he sat and Alec stood above him. Again, all wrong. Liam had become adept at choosing partners who wanted to do exactly as he commanded. But obviously Alec did not submit with ease. In fact, he gripped Liam’s shoulders and Liam held still, not allowing himself to grab hold of Alec and wrestle him down. Alec’s mouth came down on his. There was no hesitation on Alec’s part but, despite his good intentions, Liam took control of the kiss, capturing Alec’s face between his hands, mating deep and hard with his tongue. Alec broke the kiss, Liam dropped his hands, and they stared at each other, breathing hard. “Crap,” said Alec. “I liked it.” “When is the last time you had a cock up your ass, Liam?” Liam looked away. Alec’s fingers dug into Liam’s hair and gripped, forcing Liam’s gaze back up. Steady. Keep your breathing even, calm. He couldn’t let Alec know how wrong it felt for someone to force him to face him, like a challenge. Alec might stop touching him and that would be worse. “Ten years ago,” Liam admitted to those dark, deep eyes that were trying to fathom him. “I don’t like it.”

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Alec kneeled on the bed, one leg between Liam’s two, the other beside, and Liam relaxed slightly now that Alec no longer insisted on standing above him. “How old are you?” Alec was hugging him then, trying to comfort, kissing shoulder and neck. Liam sighed. “I’m twenty-four, but it’s not, it wasn’t trauma. It’s not that.” No way could he explain the pack dynamics back then. He’d wanted it; he just hadn’t liked it. There was a difference. Pulling back, Alec rubbed a thumb across Liam’s mouth. Liam was not used to this initiative. He’d been called a dom before but he hadn’t taken it seriously. He was alpha. But Alec didn’t know that, and couldn’t know that. The quad was full of asshole alphas— thankfully het and not likely interested in Alec sexually—but they would have totally overpowered Alec, as they did all their victims. “No force?” Alec asked, bringing Liam back to his past. He hadn’t been strong enough, that was all. He’d accepted it with good grace. But Alec wouldn’t understand. “No,” he fudged, then realized Alec didn’t really believe him. At the distress in that kind face, Liam found he couldn’t hold back much longer. He wanted Alec under him, except Alec wanted his turn as alpha. Liam waited but Alec didn’t move. Rather, he said, “I could stare into your golden eyes forever, especially when you look at me like that.” “Huh?” Alec brushed blunt fingers against Liam’s cheek. Was he trying to drive Liam crazy? A tremor went through his body and Alec frowned. “Hey, it’s okay.” Liam gritted his teeth. He wanted to devour Alec. He wanted to gain Alec’s trust. If Alec wanted his cock up Liam’s ass… “Liam?” Fingers sifted through Liam’s hair. “I can take it.” Liam tried not to sound like he was grinding out the words. “What?” Alec frowned, then comprehension dawned and he looked appalled. “Liam, no. Not with how you feel about it.”


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Liam clasped his hands together so he didn’t grab Alec. “I don’t think I understand what’s going on here,” Alec said in a low voice. “I want to throw you down and fuck you.” They stared. Alec’s eyes darkened. “How can I resist?” Then Alec launched himself at Liam. No anger this time, to Liam’s great relief. He rolled with the attack, rolled right off the bed to land flat on his back, Alec coming down with him. The breath left Liam for a moment while Alec reared up above him, stricken. “Liam. Sorry, babe.” Liam pushed to sitting. “I didn’t mean—” Liam grabbed Alec’s face and kissed him, bruising lips. Alec stiffened for a moment before kissing back. He went to wind arms around Liam’s neck and Liam grabbed the arms, pinning them against Alec’s sides. Though Alec struggled, he didn’t give up the kiss, giving as good as he got. Rising, Liam brought Alec with him, then broke the kiss to throw Alec back on the bed. He had no intention of bruising Alec, well, except with his teeth. Leaving a mark, a love mark, not a death mark, as if one could supersede the other. Alec was already scrambling to rise when Liam landed on him. “You shit,” said Alec and bit Liam’s neck. Liam jerked, smothering the impulse to bite Alec back, hard. Because Alec had been bitten the wrong way and because Alec needed to make some statement while Liam overpowered him. Alec sucked at the bite he’d just given, then licked. “Take it easy, okay, Liam?” Alec murmured. He wasn’t frightened, not yet, but Liam had to keep hold of himself this close to the full moon. After today he would need to stay away from Alec for a week or risk ruining what was growing between them. Pulling in a deep breath, Liam took in Alec’s scent and his sweat. Alec’s mouth climbed up Liam’s neck, gentle now. “Sorry, Alec, sorry.”

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“Don’t be sorry. Fuck me. Your crazy-ass moves make me want it and I haven’t a fucking clue why.” Alec reached for the lube and condom. “Let me put that on,” Liam said harshly, holding out a hand. Taken aback, Alec stared. “Okay.” Liam just didn’t think he could tolerate the stimulation of Alec touching his cock and sac, not now. But something in Alec’s face shifted, from desire to worry and fear and, after Liam rolled on the condom, he paid close attention to his lover, who now obediently lay on his back. “Hey.” Liam slowly lifted Alec’s legs, testing his resistance. There was some. Sliding his knees under Alec’s thighs, Liam let Alec’s legs rest on him. Then Liam skimmed hands up and down Alec’s legs, to show he wasn’t just about to shoot home without some prep. Liam’s experience was not as varied as he liked—a lot of hookups— but he knew when someone needed to be put at ease. Too often he’d managed to unnerve a stranger. Not that he thought of Alec as a stranger. “Liam.” Alec’s voice sounded thick. Attending to one leg, Liam lifted it slightly, running fingers behind one knee. He liked the sensitive skin there. Not all men were particularly into touch; they just wanted the fucking. Liam needed both and Alec, well Alec was responsive, even if he was more experienced as top than bottom. Alec raised himself on both elbows. “What are you doing?” “Passing time,” Liam answered with a smile. His hands moved up to Alec’s thigh. “Uh, yeah. And earlier, when you wanted a wrestling match, that was also passing time?” Liam pushed the leg back with one hand and cupped Alec’s ass cheek with the other. He couldn’t really explain about the alpha-dominance thing and the full moon. Maybe next year when Alec knew him better. His thumb brushed back and forth across Alec’s crack without quite reaching his hole. “I won’t wrestle anymore if you don’t like it.”


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Alec’s chest moved in and out, affected by Liam’s touch and trying not to show it. “I don’t know if I like the wrestling or not.” “Okay.” Liam shifted closer. His cock touched Alec’s thigh and Alec jumped a little. Liam bent down to kiss Alec’s leg, then bared teeth and bit without breaking skin. Alec jumped again. “Hey!” Liam touched his neck, where the bruise lay from Alec’s teeth. “Matching pair.” It was also a distracting move, because Alec was shy about his hole, even when he wanted it. Liam squirted lube generously—he didn’t want to work Alec’s hole too hard. “You deserved that bite,” claimed Alec. Liam just grinned and brought his dry hand to Alec’s sac. Alec’s cock came to full attention. Liam watched his lover the whole time, not quite understanding why Alec stared as if trying not to react while his breathing was uneven and jerky. “Lie back again.” Liam slowly slid a hand up and down Alec’s cock. Alec shook his head. “You sure?” “I like to watch you touch me.” “You do?” asked Liam, surprised. Alec smiled while his face heated up at that admission. It was then Liam took his lube-filled hand and touched Alec’s hole. Meeting Alec’s gaze again, Liam traced the rim. Alec was shaking. “You can make noise, you know.” Liam inserted a finger, Alec’s eyes rolled back in his head and he lay down, groaning. Liam circled that tight muscle, pushed into Alec’s heat and withdrew. He abandoned Alec’s cock and, with both hands, caught the backs of Alec’s knees and pushed Alec’s legs up. He placed the head of his cock against Alec’s anus. Like last time, he could hear Alec gulping air and could breathe Alec’s desire. “You are so perfect.” Liam moved in, and the muscle gave way, gave him access.

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“Perfect,” repeated Alec, eyes closed. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.” Spreading Alec’s legs farther apart, Liam went deeper. Alec gripped the blanket beneath his hands while Liam worked his way in till he was balls to ass. He could feel Alec getting used to the stretch, to his presence. The base of his cock throbbed against Alec’s rim. Liam stroked Alec’s stomach, then his chest, waiting for him to open his eyes. Alec no longer jerked breaths in and out, though he was breathing deeply. With one index finger, Liam touched Alec’s brown, quarter-sized nipple. Alec’s eyelids flew open, dark eyes dazed, unfocused. “Alec, you there?” Slowly Alec nodded. When Liam still didn’t move, enjoying the penetration too much to let it end—and it would end soon, he was close—Alec shuddered. “Fuck me, Liam. I want it.” Leaning over, Liam kissed his lips. Alec grabbed hold of Liam’s head like he was drowning, and kissed him back hard, moving down on Liam’s cock, urging him on. “Move,” demanded Alec. “Now that you’re here, move.” Liam backed out and entered again, going easy, hands on either side of Alec who seemed to ripple under him. Alec gripped Liam’s arms and Liam got his rhythm, but forced himself to keep the pace slow, because it was so amazing to watch Alec’s face open up with heat, his eyes glaze over with desire. Liam picked up speed as the flush spread to Alec’s neck. “Fuck.” Alec arched his back, spurting on his stomach. Liam kept moving, faster and faster into a trembling orgasmic Alec, until Liam exploded, too, shaking as his cock pulsed, holding himself above, even as he emptied into Alec. He felt exhausted. Spent. “Come here,” said Alec, gathering Liam to him, and Liam obeyed. He could obey now that Alec had submitted, now that he’d exhausted himself in Alec. He didn’t care that Alec’s jism smeared between them.


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“Sorry. I forgot.” A slightly self-conscious note entered Alec’s voice, and Liam wondered if it was some kind of etiquette breach to get your sperm on your lover. Surely not. Liam kissed Alec reassuringly before pulling out. Alec released a shaky, regretful sigh and Liam couldn’t resist. He lowered his head and licked sticky come off his lover, cleaning him. Alec sifted fingers through Liam’s hair until he was done. “You taste so good,” said Liam. Alec just gazed at him, eyes large and solemn and deep. Liam turned then to take care of the condom, threw it in the garbage, cleaned up and went back to Alec. Liam didn’t know if the reticence in Alec was his nature or his reaction to the quad attack. Liam’s knuckles brushed the mark and while Alec didn’t stiffen he lifted his head to watch Liam touch the red scar. “That must have hurt,” said Liam. “I don’t want to talk about it.” “Okay. But it makes me mad that you were hurt.” Alec blinked at Liam, and smiled. “This is new to me,” he said, as if it was a big admission on his part. Liam searched for the right thing to say. “I’m not used to being overwhelmed,” Alec added. “I’ll try to be better.” Alec snorted. “I don’t think I can handle better, Liam.” “More sensitive, then.” “When?” “When?” asked Liam, confused. “You going to go fuck someone else tomorrow?” Pulling Alec closer, Liam growled, “No,” sounding fiercer than he meant. He licked behind Alec’s ear and then at his throat. “It’s you I want.” “Oh.”

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“I’m glad you like to be with me afterwards.” “Be with you?” Alec’s voice sounded heavy with sleep and Liam kissed his cheek. “Some guys just take off.” In the silence, Liam added, “Of course, this is your apartment. Hard to take off.” Alec didn’t reply, just watched, which worried Liam. He wished he could read Alec better. His throat dry, Liam had to ask, “Do you want me to leave?” “No,” he said immediately. “I want you here with me.” Alec kissed him, openmouthed, tongue finding Liam’s, a leisurely exploration. “Some guys are idiots.” Alec slumped against Liam. “I would say more, but I am so tired. You wear me out.” Liam skimmed a palm down Alec’s back and rested it on his ass. “Sleep,” he whispered and Alec did.


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Chapter Six Alec became aware of sun first, shining all around him. He had the sense he was outside, except…no, he was in bed. Alone. His body felt heavy with use. He woke with a start then, sound escaping him, confused by his body’s lethargy and warmth, by this deep sleep from which he was emerging. Sleep of late did not come easily. “Hey, sleeping beauty.” Opening his eyes, Alec saw Liam walking towards him. He pushed up to sitting and managed to get tangled in the blanket. Liam leaned over him, not quite touching. “Bad dream, or is it me?” Alec breathed in Liam, who was earth and spice and something new and strange. Yesterday came back to Alec as Liam very slowly lowered his head. Twice Liam had been inside him, had played him like no one had played Alec for a long time—perhaps ever. Liam’s lips were like a whisper against Alec’s and he didn’t know whether to expect the slow, careful, tender lover or the world-wrestling-federation combatant. Fully clothed, Liam kneeled over Alec, pants against naked hips, and dug hands into Alec’s hair. Liam’s eyes turned molten. Alec had never felt more wanted in his life. After a year of furtive living, it was like walking into golden sunshine. He kissed Liam and, taking Alec’s mouth, Liam met him more than halfway. Alec sighed into the kiss, his entire body languorous. Well, except for his cock that stood at attention. Liam pushed to lie on top of Alec, a full body squash with barely a breath to take, and Alec wanted Liam to never leave, for Liam to kiss him and fuck him forever so Alec would never, ever have to return to a life shadowed by nightmare wolves and that fucking scar. Something of his thoughts could be read in his body or his kiss because Liam pulled away, concern on his face. Alec yanked him back, then reached down to undo Liam’s 70


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pants. Only when Alec touched Liam’s warm, hard cock did he realize it was his first time doing so. This time Liam didn’t fight the touch. Instead he kissed Alec harder, bruising already sore lips. Alec cupped Liam’s sac, ran a thumb up and down its seam. Shuddering, Liam reared back. “What?” demanded Alec. “Don’t ask questions.” Liam divested himself of clothes, grabbed condom and lube. “Get on your stomach.” “Make me.” Alec gave him a slow, lazy smile, watching Liam handle his own cock with his long, strong fingers. Liam’s eyebrows lifted and his hands were back on Alec, where they belonged, grabbing Alec’s shoulders and pulling him up. Alec didn’t fight, didn’t want to fight, he simply moved as Liam turned him onto his stomach, then swung him around so his knees rested on the floor while his chest lay on the bed. Strong hands parted Alec’s cheeks, applying lube, and without preamble Liam pushed right in. Breath baled out and Alec grunted in surprise, expecting pain—he could handle it—but it wasn’t there. Only Liam was there, retreating then slamming into Alec, taking his breath away. As suddenly as Liam started he stopped, leaning his forehead against Alec’s shoulder. “Alec, you okay?” Alec was overwhelmed, Alec was melting and Alec was definitely okay. He managed to nod. “You sure?” “Yes,” he hissed. Pulling Alec up, Liam forced him to rest on his arms, then reached around to find Alec’s painfully hard cock and began working him. As Liam stroked him inside and out, Alec felt like he’d collapse with sensation. Noise grew from deep within his chest. Time


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was suspended while Liam became Alec’s world and his body took everything Liam wanted to give him. Alec’s balls tightened then, and he came, shuddering, losing strength. Liam held Alec up—his arms had given out. “How are you now?” asked Liam. The only thing Alec could do was grunt. “I don’t want to leave you.” Alec agreed. He could imagine staying like this forever, boneless on the bed with Liam inside him and all around him. He was aware of Liam lifting him back on the bed and lying beside him, spooned against him, always filling Alec’s hole. Light fingers brushed Alec’s cheek, then a finger hooked the corner of Alec’s mouth and turned his towards his own. Liam kissed and Alec welcomed him. Liam moved, slow now, like his kiss, as if they could last forever. Then something shifted, the tension in Liam rose and he stiffened, coming. Liam kept kissing, even as his cock pulsed inside Alec. When Liam retreated, Alec turned to watch him take care of the condom and quickly get dressed. Alec couldn’t move. His limbs were heavy and boneless. Returning to kneel on the bed, Liam rested a hand on Alec’s bare hip. “Listen to me, Alec. Ira needs me in half an hour. I have to go.” Go? Alec could hardly find his bearings. “Alec?” Alec swallowed, the languor leaving his body, the tension returning. God, he didn’t want to be alone again. But, “Ira, yeah. Of course.” He’d forgotten about the outside world. “Can I see you again?” “Yes,” said Alec fervently. To discover this magic and lose it—he couldn’t face more loss. “Good. But listen. This next week is really bad with work. Really bad. I can’t see you till next Wednesday.”

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Alec nodded, hoping he didn’t look ridiculously disappointed. Desolate. “Wednesday,” he repeated gamely. A whole week. Well, he could survive. “Okay, good.” Liam hesitated, as if unsure, and then threw himself down against Alec for a hug. “I’m going to miss you,” Liam said roughly. He detached. Before Alec could blink again, Liam was out the door, leaving Alec behind. The sudden departure surprised him. He felt undone by Liam’s lovemaking, by his intensity and his attention to detail. By his care, even if he had to preface his tenderness with grappling and domination. Alec didn’t quite know what was going on there, and he didn’t understand his part in it, his anger. Nevertheless, they hadn’t fucked as strangers. He fell back on the bed and looked at the cracked ceiling. Y Liam got home just in time. He was barely out of his car before Ira jumped off the school bus and threw himself into Liam’s arms. Then he squirmed free to race into the house. “Casey!” Ira bellowed. “Ira,” chided Liam, though not with much force. That Ira was excited about the week of the full moon brought Liam joy. Still, manners counted. “Lower your voice when you need something from Casey.” “Oh, right,” said Ira blithely. “But where is she?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but ran around the house, locating her at the washing machine and dragging her up to fix his snack. Of course, Liam could have fixed his snack, but Casey enjoyed feeding her “boys”. Especially before the night of their first run. The snack, French toast, was followed two hours later by a full-fledged meal as the sun went down. “Eat more,” Casey urged and Ira with the hollow leg did. “You, too,” she told Liam. “I can’t.” Nothing felt worse than shifting and running on a full stomach. She tsked, tsked. “You need to keep on that weight.”


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“I do keep my weight on.” Last summer, Liam had alarmed Casey and Veronica when he couldn’t eat for fear of Ira. But that was long past, the quad had been halved and Ira now lived safely with Liam and Casey. Meal finished, Ira bounced off the walls, eager and willing to run outside. “It’s dark already,” he proclaimed. But Ira knew Liam insisted on a half hour between meal and shift. “It’s kind of like swimming. You don’t want to get a cramp.” Ira rolled his eyes. “Shifting and swimming are totally different.” Liam smiled down. When Ira began to live with Liam, he’d cringed the first night they’d shifted to wolf form under the filling moon. Liam still winced remembering Ira’s frightened panting, ears flat to his head, belly low to the ground. His little brother had feared at some level—no matter how many times Liam assured him otherwise—that he’d be given back to Gabriel and Luke. But with time, patience and play, with Liam and Veronica, Ira had learned to love the full moon, as a young cub should. “Will we see Veronica?” Ira asked. She usually joined them on their first and last nights. “Yep. We’re meeting in the field.” “Can we go swimming?” “No,” said Casey in horror. “You certainly cannot. I won’t allow it.” With some hope Ira looked to Liam, who shook his head. “Casey won’t allow it.” “I won’t be tending to you, sick in bed, because you didn’t have enough sense not to freeze in winter. As if you think wolves are invulnerable to cold. Real wolves die in winter, you know.” “Last month was a bit warmer,” Liam said dryly. Casey had been quite annoyed they’d swum one late September night because, on their return, Ira’d been a little shivery. But the last gasp of summer had proved irresistible. He turned to Ira. “It actually is no fun at all to have wet fur in freezing weather. Believe me.”

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“It’s half an hour since we ate,” declared Ira, scrambling off the couch and ripping off his clothes. “I’m out of here,” announced Casey and she returned to the kitchen while Liam and Ira stripped in the den and walked out the back door. At the sight of the almost full moon, Liam’s spirit lifted. They shifted simultaneously, though Ira’s change, with the greater flexibility of his young body, went faster. In the early days, Liam had always shifted first, afraid Ira would take off without him. But Ira had proved trustworthy and the boy found waiting his turn difficult. Especially when it could take Liam up to fifteen minutes—and he was unusually fast for an adult wolf, probably because of all his feral years. Ira was already rippling from human to wolf, his dark skin furring, his face elongating, before Liam lost awareness. When he came to, Ira licked his face, whining, Get up, get up. Grumpily Liam growled—he could growl now without Ira flinching— then rose and shook himself out. The bones felt new, the skin stretched, but the moon shone down and Liam’s wolfish soul leapt at the thought of night running. Even with a young one in tow. He woofed permission and Ira cut a dark streak across the moonlit lawn. Liam loped after him. At their easy pace, Liam took in the late autumn scent, sharp and fresh, invigorating. Leaves had fallen, begun to rot, but the October winds cleansed the air and Liam’s blood sang as it rolled through his muscles, urging him on. He always let Ira wear himself out during their first outing so the pup didn’t push hard for late nights all week long. Eventually Ira allowed Liam to overtake him without a fuss. They ran towards the field, Liam leading. It took them a good hour. As expected, Veronica was already there, restless under the moon. She would have moved fast and hard once she left her house. At the sight of her, Ira yipped a greeting, bounded past Liam and met Veronica in a tumble. They wrestled while Liam took off for a hard run of his own. When he returned, all three played tag until Ira began to tire. Late into the night, the three returned to Liam’s to rest and in the morning David picked Veronica up.


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The next evening, Liam and Ira ran on their own. Worn out from the night before, Ira didn’t last long and Liam returned him home to Casey before taking off on a solo run. He had a destination. He shouldn’t venture into the city—it made him uneasy and his wolf self was drawn to the wild, not concrete and asphalt—but Liam felt compelled to check on Alec. Thirty-six hours ago they had made love. Alec was not yet ready to appreciate the white wolf who now headed towards his apartment, though Liam hoped that would change in time. Furtively, under a cloudy sky, clinging to dark shadows, Liam made his way through streets and alleys until he reached Alec’s building. At three in the morning, the windows were dark and, from among the smells of exhaust, pollution and humans, Liam teased out Alec’s particular scent. Not from the apartment itself, but from the trail Alec had left when he’d come home hours ago. Something within Liam eased, but he decided it was necessary to keep up this nightly check. Alec was marked and needed to be kept safe. Y Two days after Liam—that’s how Alec thought of their night together, just Liam— Alec walked home from work in the morning. Well, technically he just walked. Aimlessly. As of this day, Friday, the library was no longer work, and he wasn’t near ready to go home to his shitty little apartment and stare at the dirty, crooked walls. He’d been fired for being hired under false pretenses and while he could see a certain irony to that, he couldn’t appreciate it. He’d done a good job for eleven months, keeping his head down and smiling at Sharon because he owed her. Sharon had looked on apologetically, even guiltily, while Alec left the library, but she hadn’t said a word. He should have been more circumspect. Even if he didn’t believe in closets, his precarious situation should have inspired him to be smart. He blinked up at the red light, waiting for it to change. Didn’t matter that he’d lost his job. He’d saved some money. Enough—just—to book a flight and fly to Vancouver. Start over in a new city. The wolves wouldn’t follow him there. If they even existed outside his crazy mind. 76


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Didn’t it just figure he’d become involved with Liam days before? The regret made Alec’s chest ache. Even if he was more than a little put out that Liam had so thoroughly stormed his defenses only to disappear for an entire week. He wanted to tell Liam about the job situation, or lack thereof, but couldn’t bring himself to phone the golden boy who wore expensive clothes and lived in a house in a suburb. Nothing worse than acting needy at the beginning of a relationship, especially when you were jobless and he was gainfully employed, especially when you were scared of werewolves no one else believed in—and which you sometimes thought you had imagined on your own. Except Bill had disappeared and Alec had an ugly scar he could not explain away. And godawful nightmares where he was a pet. Or prey. His hallucinatory werewolves had talked about that. Never mind. He gritted his teeth. He hated how the scar took over whenever he was stressed. What he needed to think about was finding a job. Okay, this feeling that he was unemployable had to go. It wasn’t true. So getting and keeping jobs wasn’t one of his strengths, and the library was the only place he’d ever enjoyed, but he could work…somewhere. Employment Canada could help him out. He was too old to go back to stripping, and besides, he’d never been good at it. He let out a shaky sigh. At least he had Liam. Alec winced. One night did not mean you had someone. He’d always been careful not to make a relationship into more than it was, a kind of protection from falling too fast and hard—but when he had so little else, he found it hard not to lean on this new relationship right now. The elbow came out of nowhere, clipping his shoulder. “Hey, sorry, man.” The voice sounded amused, not sorry, but Alec just slid sideways as he raised his gaze. And froze while his heart stuttered in fear. Cold blue eyes stared down at him. The face of an angel. Gabriel moved into his personal space, Alec stumbled back, and Gabriel reached out as Alec spun and ran. He didn’t care if it was stupid to run, if a werewolf could sprint by him at will. He had to get away.


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Gabriel had dubbed him prey during their last encounter and apparently he meant it. Don’t run, don’t run, don’t run, some logical part of his brain screamed. But he couldn’t fly and he couldn’t just be taken by the nightmare that was Gabriel. Alec threw himself into a Tim Hortons. It teemed with people buying their morning coffee. Surely wolves wouldn’t expose themselves to a crowd? He didn’t want to bring a massacre down on innocents, but numbers should be a deterrent. Alec hoped. His disbelief in werewolves had all but evaporated. They felt, at the moment, horrifically real. They couldn’t grab him as they had before, in the dead of night, and drag him off to their den where he watched them shift into wolves during the full moon. But fuck, it was the full moon. Alec closed his eyes. Between Liam and the job, he’d lost track of the moon. Not that the knowledge would have prevented this encounter. It was day and Alec had thought daylight safe. He’d also dared to hope they’d forgotten him—though they’d vowed not to—or that they’d been a terrible figment of his imagination. After five minutes, Alec managed to order a cup of coffee. He must have sounded strung out because the girl frowned as if he was acting oddly. Never mind. He sat in a corner where people wouldn’t stare and a werewolf might not notice—though that was stupid thinking. Alec needed a strategy and fast. His overwhelming desire to phone Liam had to be discarded. No way in hell would he bring this curse down on Liam and Ira. A man slid in beside Alec and before he could jump up, a hand clamped down on Alec’s leg, just above his knee. A painful, solid grip. As if they couldn’t find him. They’d warned—though this past year he’d tried to forget the warning—they could track his scent. “Drink your coffee.” Gazing down at the steaming drink, Alec tried to remember to breathe, though his lungs clogged with fear. The voice was Luke’s, not Gabriel’s. Two of them hunted him. He had to get on a plane and get on it now. A taxi to the airport, that’s what he needed. He carried some cash in his wallet.

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“Drink your coffee.” Luke wanted to be obeyed. With shaking hands, Alec pried off the plastic lid. “Good boy.” Luke was pulling out some kind of bottle, as if to add something to Alec’s coffee. “I’ve told Gabriel you’ll make a good pet.” Alec threw hot coffee into Luke’s face. The hand released his leg and Alec was running. He had to stay in public places where they couldn’t openly accost him. He raced down the sidewalk towards Main Street. He’d seen taxis here from time to time, though most of them had probably been summoned. The police station was farther on; maybe he could make it. Just as the city square came into view, out of nowhere stood Gabriel. Alec tried to swerve, Gabriel moved with him and Alec banged into that solid chest. “Watch where you’re going, Alec.” He turned away, keeping his balance. But Gabriel’s hands gripped his arms and heaved Alec off the main road, into the alley, out of sight from any onlookers. As Alec opened his mouth to scream, a hand slammed across it. “Do you want to bring someone else along for the party? Like Bill brought you?” Alec heaved breaths, face stinging, terror shaking his heart. Gabriel released him. “All right. I’ll let you go.” But he blocked Alec’s path and when he looked down the other end of the alley, Luke was stalking towards him. “Hmmm. Luke looks pissed. What did you do?” Alec darted past Gabriel and his arms came around him, lifting Alec off the ground. The helplessness galled Alec. He was dropped so he stumbled. Then Luke grabbed him by the throat and shoved Alec backwards. His head banged against a brick wall. “Stupid shit threw coffee at me,” growled Luke, his face flaming. Alec couldn’t breathe, but he tried to knee Luke in the balls. Gabriel laughed at Luke’s grunt. A knee connected to Alec’s balls. Pain tore threw him. His world turned gray though he heard Gabriel’s awful amused voice. “Like a battery-operated toy, the stupid bugger just doesn’t stop.” The pressure on Alec’s throat eased and the gray world receded.


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“He’s too much trouble like this,” said Luke. “Give it to me.” Alec’s first impulse was to struggle again, but he waited. So far, his impulses had led to total failure. “Will you drink this, Alec?” asked Gabriel in a friendly manner. He held up a small bottle of clear liquid. “We brought it just for you.” If he drank that liquid, it would be the last thing he ever did. Frantic, Alec shook his head and Luke’s hold on his throat tightened. Then Luke detached Alec from the brick wall, grabbed a hunk of hair and bent his neck back. With his other hand, he gripped Alec’s jaw, opening his mouth. Gabriel wrapped his palm around Alec’s throat and poured liquid in. Trying not to swallow, he choked under the pressure and the bitter fluid began to flow down his throat. He couldn’t stop and it kept coming until Gabriel stepped back. Luke didn’t release him, despite Alec’s choking. “I think you can let him go, Luke.” Gabriel’s tone was dry. Slowly, Luke eased his hold, while Gabriel added, “What a good boy. Well done. You drank it all.” He patted Alec’s head and Alec moved out of reach, watching the two, large muscular men. Luke grinned. “Run now, that’s right.” Drugs didn’t work that fast, did they? Though God knows what dose he’d been given. Alec’s stomach roiled and despite himself, he stumbled away. He didn’t get far before he landed on his knees. He passed out before his head hit the ground.

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Chapter Seven A cold nose touched his hand and, while Alec had the wherewithal to pull back, he couldn’t force his eyes open. The nose came to Alec’s cheek and that startled him awake, pushing it away while he tried to clear his muzzy, sore head. The wolf growled and before Alec could back up farther—his leg was stuck—its mouth came down on Alec’s shoulder. Instead of ripping him apart, the mouth held him, teeth pinching, bruising, without, he didn’t think, breaking skin. Into this confusing scenario stepped a smaller wolf that approached cautiously. It was a pup, really. It sniffed, whining a little. The large wolf growled again, hot, stinky breath escaping, and Alec thought he’d come out of his skin. The pup’s ears went back and its belly went down to the ground. “Luke, not only are you giving our pet a heart attack, you’re scaring Claire.” Gabriel’s voice. God how Alec loathed Gabriel’s voice. “Back off.” Evidently Gabriel was someone to be obeyed for the foul breath receded, though Alec didn’t watch. He stared away from them and focused on breathing. He hated reacting to these creatures. Looking at his leg again, this time Alec processed what he saw. They’d shackled his ankle. The thick, rusty ring surrounded it, attached to a chain which itself was attached to a pole. He couldn’t fucking believe it. He thought he might puke. “Claire.” Gabriel pronounced the name as if it was French, rolling the “r” slightly. “This is your new pet. Our gift to you.” Crap, crap, crap. Alec couldn’t make sense of this nightmare. He’d thought he’d be dead by now. “Alec.” Gabriel stepped over, crouched down close to crowd Alec and stroked his head. Though Alec stiffened, he didn’t flinch. Small victories.


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“See, Alec is a good boy.” Christ, Gabriel was having the time of his life with this and Alec didn’t get it. They hadn’t spent much time with him last year, at least that he could remember, though that sickening feeling of being toyed with had been there. Along with drugs. Why did Gabriel torment him? “You, Claire, will be in charge of the pet, okay?” Gabriel addressed the pup, but his hand kept petting Alec’s head. Alec could barely breathe. Then Gabriel pushed up from his crouch and walked away. “But first I’ll shift and we’ll go for a long run. After all, the moon is full.” The three creatures retreated and Alec’s breath stuttered out. He held his head in his hands for a moment, as if that would stop his brain from exploding. Nothing, nothing, had prepared him for this. He listened intently to the night sounds, birds and breeze mostly. It was too late in autumn for insects to survive the cold nights. Eventually, he lay down on the cement floor. He was in some kind of shed and they’d kept the doors open. His head hurt, the drugs were still in him and he slept. Before they returned, he woke and pissed in the empty bucket in the corner. No fun limping with the chain. The shackle scraped his ankle every time he moved. Near dawn, Gabriel approached him and Alec wished it were Luke ready to beat the shit out of him. The pup trotted at Gabriel’s heels. Was it wolf or werewolf? Probably the latter. Gabriel carried two dog dishes, one with water, the other canned dog food. The word why? wailed through Alec, but he kept a tight grip on himself. He didn’t allow noise to escape. Gabriel placed the dishes near Alec. “Go ahead. Eat up.” Alec didn’t move and he didn’t look at them. He felt terribly thirsty, he hadn’t drunk since early yesterday, but he’d wait and drink after they left. If they left. “Claire was a pet, too.” At that, Alec shuddered.

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“Yes, that’s right. Claire is a werewolf. A distant cousin of Luke’s who, by the way, was also kept as a pet. Their family has a strange idea that we werewolves should be chained and fed scraps. At least we feed you out of a can. Much more civilized.” As if looking for a reaction, Gabriel prodded Alec with his foot, but Alec didn’t know how to take this in. In fact, he had the odd sensation his brain was shutting down. “I thought it would be cathartic if Luke and Claire were pet owners for a while. Reverse the human-wolf roles, if you will.” Gabriel paused. Go away, get the fuck away. But he stood there, still talking. “Luke was so enamored of the idea he wanted to put a leash on you and take you for walks. But I vetoed the idea. That’s for dog pets. I’ve explained to Claire that you are our man pet. So we’ve shackled your leg instead. After all, humans shackle humans all the time, don’t they? At least their prisoners.” His foot pressed against Alec’s thigh again. “And in some countries in this world, you are a criminal, since you like fucking men, don’t you? Your cute little co-worker Sharon is a fount of information. She’s quite distressed you were fired.” Alec blinked, trying to comprehend what Sharon had to do with any of this. “Your breathing is a little noisy, but otherwise you’re remarkably self-possessed. I expected quivering, tears and such. If you remain this stoic, I’ll have to admire you.” “Please, don’t,” said Alec, breaking his vow not to engage. “Bill wasn’t self-possessed,” Gabriel continued. “He was a whiny brat. You know we killed him, eh? I suspect you’re glad.” Alec wasn’t. The news, though not unexpected, made acid rise in his throat. Bill had been a silly little shit who’d brought him into this nightmare, but he hadn’t deserved death. “No?” Gabriel sighed. “I’m tired or I’d indulge in another petting session with you. Maybe later. Claire?” The pup whined. “Do you want to sleep with your new pet or in the house? Up to you.” The pup sat on its rump. Christ, it was going to stay.


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“Fine. Give the man a chance to get used to you. Tame him. Pets are often skittish at first.” Gabriel bent down to pat the pup and its ears went way back. It rolled over, whining at full throttle. Gabriel rubbed its stomach vigorously, almost aggressively, while it made whimpering begging noises that pleased Gabriel. “That’s a good girl.” As Gabriel rose, Claire watched him carefully, only rolling onto its stomach once his back was turned. It cringed until the man was out of sight, then its ears went up and its gaze moved to Alec. Brown eyes, and Alec could imagine them in a human. He shivered. Claire barked and if Alec interpreted the bark correctly, it was encouragement. Very carefully, the pup approached Alec’s bowl, as if she wanted him to drink. He debated holding off until she couldn’t watch him. But he didn’t have the depth of loathing for the pup that he did for Gabriel and Luke. And he craved water. Alec picked up the bowl and drank it down. Y Friday night, Ira’s run lasted longer than expected. It was late when Liam ushered him back into Casey’s care and took off to scout out Alec and his apartment. The day had been mild and the pollution sat heavy in the city, leaving a bad taste in Liam’s mouth. It frayed his nerves this expedition—making his way through the streets, avoiding people, creeping in the shadows. Creeping had never agreed with him. It was why he’d stayed in the north for so long, before that bizarre phone call from Trey a year ago asking if he wanted to look after a brother he hadn’t known existed. Liam shook his shaggy head. He didn’t regret coming south, even if he missed the open spaces of the north. Ira made it all worthwhile. Befriending Veronica, his newfound cousin, had been a wonderful experience. And, well, early days and all, but Liam felt something special for Alec. He trotted around the apartment building, searching out Alec’s smell, looking for proof Alec had returned home. Liam found an old trail leading home, yesterday’s no doubt, but it was so faint he feared he was making it up. Perhaps Alec had stayed inside 84


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all day? Except his most recent trail indicated he had left the apartment this morning, and not returned to it. His window was dark—to be expected. Though Liam risked being spotted, he investigated the scents under the bright street light and the stairs leading up to the door. No Alec. Okay, maybe Liam was confused—he wasn’t used to tracking in the city and the pollution messed with his sense of smell. Alec could have been holed up at home for the day. He wasn’t the most social guy in the world. Being marked did that to a person. Or maybe he was homesick. Liam decided to phone Alec in the morning. There wasn’t much else he could accomplish here as wolf. Storming down Alec’s door as a white wolf just wasn’t an option, so instead Liam made his way home, carrying with him his sense of dread. He didn’t sleep and could barely wait till six a.m. when he desperately hoped Alec would be pissed off at being woken early by his phone call. By the third ring, Liam’s heart began to bang in real fear. Foreboding. By the tenth, his hands were shaking while he laid the phone in its cradle. Alec could have gone away. But he hadn’t mentioned going away. In fact, he’d seemed eager to see more of Liam. Trey would let them know if the quad had returned. Except Trey was a bit of a wild card. At nine a.m. Liam phoned Alec again and when no one answered he fought hard to stave off his panic. He was jumping to conclusions. For all he knew, Alec had another boyfriend. Not that Liam was his boyfriend—he knew that much about dating. One night was not a boyfriend. Liam drove to the library. He strode across the parking lot and into the building, desperate to catch a glimpse of Alec shelving books. Breathing in through his nose, Liam caught no whiff of Alec. But he spotted Sharon, the woman who’d pointed him towards Alec the other Saturday when Ira had dragged Liam here to see Mr. Alec. “Hello, Sharon.”


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She looked up from the computer. Her eyes widened, recognizing him and he smelt…excitement, not quite fear. He worked at keeping his expression bland and even, because he was reacting to this woman with distaste and he didn’t quite know why. She gave him a welcoming smile. “Hi there.” “Could you tell me if Alec”—Christ, he didn’t even know Alec’s last name—“is working today?” Her bright expression dimmed. “Oh, what a shame.” “Shame?” repeated Liam, disturbed by the word. “Alec was let go.” Her regret seemed genuine. “Let go?” Her hand went palm up with a shrug, a kind of “you know” gesture, but Liam didn’t know. “Why would they let Alec go?” She hunched forward and whispered, “The boss had it in for him.” Okay, move on. “Where is Alec now?” “I wouldn’t know.” She sounded defensive. “Would anyone?” “He worked here, he didn’t live here.” Her gaze returned to the computer. She wanted Liam to leave. “Would you mind if I asked your name?” She hesitated. “Sharon Eccles.” “Thank you, Sharon Eccles.” Her voice dropped even more. “Tell him, I’m sorry, truly sorry.” “What are you sorry for, Sharon?” But she just turned away, her face closing. “Have to work.” She walked off and Liam was left standing alone. Shit, Alec. Where are you? He drove around the city for a while, as if he would catch sight of Alec strolling along a sidewalk. Then he got annoyed with himself for wasting time and went home.

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When he got there, Veronica sat on his doorstep, arms wrapped around her knees, rocking slightly. He frowned down at her. “You can let yourself in, Veronica.” She lifted her face and looked as troubled as he felt. He reached out a hand to help her up and they wrapped their arms around each other for comfort. “I wanted to be outside.” She pulled back. “But let’s go in. We need to talk.” Liam dug in his pocket for his keys. Casey was inside, watching Ira, but they kept the front door locked. “Besides,” Veronica continued, “Casey would have fussed at me.” Liam shot her a look. Usually Veronica enjoyed Casey’s motherly fussing, given that Veronica’s mother had absconded years ago. Werewolves and their mothers. It made you wonder. “Bad news. From Trey,” Veronica said. “Well, it’s never good news, is it?” When she didn’t bother to defend her uncle, a cold ball of fear formed in Liam’s gut. He was already worried about Alec. Liam turned and demanded, “What is it?” “The quad is close. Trey says you should take Ira out of school and keep him close by you.” Liam rubbed the back of his neck. The nightmare was beginning again and not only Ira was vulnerable. Though at least he could protect Ira. Veronica frowned at him, as if he was acting oddly. “Trey was attacked.” “He okay?” Liam didn’t like Trey, but he didn’t want him hurt. For one thing, like it or not, he depended on the man. “I don’t know.” Her voice was small. She had an emotional connection to the stonecold bastard because he’d reunited her with her brother three years ago. But Trey was still a bastard. “He had to take a couple of days to recover.” Liam lifted his brows. “You’re telling me he almost died?” “Trey wouldn’t admit something like that, but how else would the quad leave him behind? He must have been seriously weakened. He’s on the move now, but trailing


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them.” Veronica paused. “Here’s a disturbing piece of news. They have a little girl, Liam. Girl cub.” “Girl cub?” They were so rare. And, unfortunately for them, valuable to male werewolves who wanted to father cubs. “I’m sorry to hear that. Where the hell did they find her?” “Distant relative of Luke, apparently. Trey says she doesn’t like her human form and stays wolf all the time.” Liam winced. “Too young to be feral.” “Don’t I know it.” “She must be warped already. Are they abusing her?” Liam knew what the quad did to kids. He wanted to rescue the girl, find Alec and just save the world in general. “Trey doesn’t think so. He thinks they may be trying to make her comfortable with them, so they’re careful.” Liam grunted. “Their last girl killed herself so she wasn’t much success as a breeder.” He refused to think deeply about that. He couldn’t afford to take a trip down that nightmare of memory lane his childhood had been, though he’d briefly met the girl, who’d been a couple of years older than him, before her suicide. Veronica didn’t say anything. She just clasped and unclasped her hands. “Before my time, Vee.” His mother had given him over to Gabriel after the girl’s death. She jerked a nod. He tilted his head towards the kitchen. “I’ve been running around all morning and I’m starving.” “I’d better eat,” she said rather tonelessly. “What you’d better do”—he pulled some cold cuts out of the fridge—“is stay here until this is over. You and David. They could be after you, too, you know.” Her mouth twisted. “I’m sterile and they know it. I’m in no danger.” Liam had assumed she wanted it that way, not to bring baby wolves into the world. But, well, he hadn’t thought much about it, or he would have realized that didn’t mean

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she didn’t regret the lack. “Rye or whole wheat?” he asked, for want of anything better to say. “Whatever.” Liam chose for her and made sandwiches. Food preparation made him think of Casey. She was downstairs, probably doing laundry. For her own good he’d have to send her away until the quad was gone. Though Ira would miss her. He breathed deeply, feeling reassured by Ira’s scent around the house. His brother was safe. But Alec… As they sat down to eat, Liam worked at getting the words out. Somehow confiding in Veronica made Alec’s danger more real. She sensed his distress and stopped chewing. Looked at him. “Alec is missing,” he said in a rush. “And the timing…I’m sick.” He placed a hand on his chest. “Heartsick. They must have him.” She gazed at him, considering. “Trey thought they were still days away.” “Trey was injured, Veronica.” Injured werewolves lost track of time, their entire body focused on healing. It sometimes left them disoriented. “I’m so frightened for Alec.” “I hope you’re wrong, but we’ll search.” “Okay.” Liam pulled in a long breath, wondering how he was going to balance protecting Ira and Veronica, while searching for Alec. He couldn’t expose everyone to danger; nor could he sacrifice one member of his pack for the others. He wished Trey would get the hell over here. He wished Alec, hell, he hoped Alec had taken off for reasons Liam couldn’t fathom and was safely in the Bahamas or something. Veronica squeezed Liam’s hand just before Ira raced into the kitchen and launched himself at her. “Hey, you,” she said, a big smile on her face. Ira pulled back. “Where’s David?” “He’ll come over soon.” Liam raised his eyebrows. David wouldn’t be happy with the crowded living arrangements.


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“He will,” she told Liam. “He understands how serious this is. Though we thought we had more time. But if…” She looked away. If Alec had been taken, their time was up.

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Chapter Eight The next couple of days were hell. Too cold at night, Alec woke shivering, that damn pup whining beside him and sometimes actually laying its back against him, as if to share warmth and affection. What the hell was it doing, hanging out with him? Oh yeah, he was its pet. Christ. Alec couldn’t wrap his mind around the situation. Situation. What a joke. Shackled to the cement floor of some derelict shed behind a rundown house down some country road. He was fucked. Luke came over a few times. In wolf form, he breathed all over Alec, sometimes baring teeth, and Alec considered it his duty not to flinch. He didn’t always succeed. But what Alec truly abhorred were Gabriel’s visits with his sick humor and cold eyes, complete with petting sessions Alec had to endure. He could be grateful Gabriel wasn’t interested in patting his ass and privates but, chained to a dirty floor, Alec had difficulty feeling grateful for anything whatsoever. He couldn’t eat dog food, couldn’t keep it down. The pup snuck other food to him and he didn’t know if it would get her in trouble or not, but he ate it. She had an odd relationship with the men. She didn’t choose to be with them, yet they were quite solicitous. As if they wanted to please her but didn’t know what to do with her. She mostly brought him junk—bread and chips. He wasn’t exactly getting his protein but he was starved and vacuumed it down, even when it had been in her mouth. He drank from a fucking hose she had dragged over and knew how to turn on. The one thing that kept him halfway sane was thinking back to Liam. Alec’s brain seized on his time with the golden boy, letting the memories bring comfort. Someone had loved him, even for a very short time. It might not ever happen again—things didn’t


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exactly look good at the moment—and Alec grasped at the heat of their night together. It helped when he was chilled to the bone and only getting colder. By the end of the second day, the pup had become an odd source of comfort. Did Stockholm syndrome apply to werepups? He found himself wishing he could get them both away from Gabriel and Luke. Not that he had a clue how to look after a werewolf who was never a child, only a wolf. The third morning, after he’d stuffed a stale bagel in his mouth, he asked, “What’s a nice girl like you doing with these guys?” Her tail had lifted at “nice girl”—she seemed to enjoy his compliments so he threw them in whenever he could—but her body drooped when he ended his question. She whined, a rather sad noise. “You know”—he’d already mentioned their little communication problem—“if you’d shift to human, we could have a real conversation. I’d really like that. It gets a little lonely here, just me and you as a wolf. Even if you’re a very pretty wolf.” Her tail went right up again. She didn’t tire of being praised for her beauty, though Alec tried to keep it real. He was striving to reach her. Though not the most promising scenario, the pup and her relative freedom was the only potential escape option he could think of. They were in the middle of nowhere with two assholes. Alec toyed with the idea of yelling at the top of his lungs, but he was weak and couldn’t face the possibility that Gabriel would come down to pat him into silence. Claire moved towards Alec with what he identified as hope. He sighed. “Hey, girl.” He rubbed her head and neck while she leaned into the contact. She seemed more comfortable with him than Gabriel and Luke. Despite his horror of werewolves, Alec had a hard time loathing her along with her fellow creatures. Perhaps when she was adult she, too, would be evil, and wouldn’t that be a shame. Because she was a sweet thing now. “I wish you’d leave these guys, Claire.” She stilled, looking at him with her big brown, gold-flecked eyes. “They are very bad men and very bad wolves.”

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She whimpered, pressed her nose against his palm in some kind of acknowledgment and lay down beside him. “No one should be anyone else’s pet, Claire.” Alec spoke in a low voice to keep the tremor out. It was hard for him to even speak of it. Whining, she licked his hand a little frantically and he went quiet. He supposed she didn’t have a hell of a lot of choice. Most children were at the mercy of their elders. That night, to Alec’s great dread, Gabriel walked over from the house. He looked down at Alec who didn’t rise. He simply stared forward, waiting for the visit to pass. They could break him outside as long as they didn’t break him inside. A nervous Claire danced beside Gabriel, pleading with throat noises Alec didn’t understand, but he wished Gabriel would give her what she wanted. Instead, he said to Alec, “You make our Claire very happy.” Alec figured she must have been suicidally depressed before he arrived on the scene, because this was not a happy wolf-child. She flinched too often and her expression was one of constant worry. Gabriel knelt down and patted her. “That’s important to us, because she’s our special gal, aren’t you, Claire?” She whined and Gabriel frowned. “Can you not bark once in a while?” She woofed obediently and Alec felt like he was reading tea leaves, attempting to interpret this exchange. Perhaps, Gabriel, too, recognized that Claire was not comfortable with him. Disgruntled, Gabriel rose and moved towards Alec. Claire ran in circles around the man, barking in a frenzy now. He stopped, displeased by her display. Alec realized Claire was trying to keep Gabriel away from him. Alec shivered with the knowledge that she knew just how much he loathed Gabriel’s touch, and that she wanted to protect him. “Okay, enough,” declared Gabriel, now impatient. She cringed beside him, ears going way back, and Gabriel appeared mollified. “I am going to talk to Alec now. He deserves my attention too, don’t you think?” She pitched a fit, whining and throwing herself against Gabriel’s leg.


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“Shut the fuck up,” shouted Gabriel, kicking her aside. “In fact, leave. I want you out of my sight.” She trembled in place. “Out!” Gabriel pointed a finger and she started to crawl away. Shaking his head, he turned to Alec with a crooked grin, of all things. “I need a bit more patience. Kids, eh?” How he thought Alec could possibly sympathize, he didn’t know. His expression shifted to one of contempt. “Or don’t you think she’s a kid? Maybe you think she’s an it, a filthy thing? Her family did.” Usually Alec didn’t speak. It never helped. But this time he had to say, because she was still within hearing range, “Claire is a lovely pup.” “She’s also a kid.” Alec jerked a nod, for Claire’s sake, because though she was slinking away, she was still not-very-furtively watching them. Look, kid, he wanted to say. You’ve gotta turn human and talk to me. Please. But he didn’t beg. He didn’t beg. Or he’d lose it. Gabriel warned Claire one last time. “Out of here, girl. Alec and I need to speak privately.” The very idea filled Alec with dread. Claire disappeared into the dark. “Guess who was asking after you?” Something in Gabriel’s voice made Alec brace himself. Gabriel’s toe nudged Alec’s leg. “C’mon, guess.” Alec pressed his lips together. “Such a stoic. Well, it’s another werewolf.” Gabriel cuffed Alec’s head, Alec jerked away and Gabriel, rougher than usual—perhaps because he was annoyed by Claire’s antics—grabbed a fistful of hair and made Alec look up at him. “You don’t think you know another werewolf?” Alec’s heart was doing a funny dance number, as if out of sync with the rest of him which did not want to move. The look on Gabriel’s face said he was out to inflict pain. He shook Alec’s head. “Answer.”

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“Luke,” Alec suggested despite his vow not to talk. He just wanted Gabriel to let go of him. “No. Try again.” Alec swallowed. “I don’t know many werewolves.” “You know this werewolf. Intimately.” Gabriel smiled with satisfaction. “What the fuck are you talking about?” Gabriel slammed his palm against Alec’s ear and his head rang while Gabriel grabbed a hunk of hair again and shook Alec. “Show me more respect or you’ll get worse than that.” Alec shut up. He had to remember to just not speak. “Who do you know in-tim-ate-ly?” Gabriel drew out the last word in a way that made Alec’s skin crawl. Gabriel couldn’t know about the golden boy, about sunshine, about Alec’s only source of comfort. “Say the name,” Gabriel commanded. Alec shuddered. Gabriel didn’t know. He clung to that thought. “Liam,” said that awful, cold voice. Alec jerked and the air turned thin. His hearing went funny, but he still registered Gabriel’s mild laugh. “Not bad, though I expected a bigger reaction.” Gabriel finally let go of Alec’s head. “You didn’t think to hear his name from me, did you? You didn’t even know he was a wolf. But of course he wouldn’t share that information with you. Since you were his pet.” Despite himself, Alec shook his head. Gabriel liked to play with him, torment him, that was all. It didn’t make Gabriel’s words true. “Is that denial?” Gabriel’s pleasure unnerved Alec even further. “Don’t you remember some slightly odd behavior? I bet Liam breathed you in a little more often than the average guy. Us werewolves appreciate our sense of smell.” Yes, Alec remembered. But no, Liam wouldn’t hurt him. It was impossible to grasp the meaning of Liam’s name, here and now, on Gabriel’s lips. Alec had thought to keep his time with Liam sacred, private, wholesome. Not something to be dragged up here


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with the horror that was Gabriel. Too often, Alec’s thoughts had returned to Liam these past few days. Their time in bed had become a safe place to visit in his mind when too much else led to panic. Liam couldn’t be one of them. Could. Not. Be. “There you go with your noisy breathing again. Not that I can’t smell the panic wafting off you.” Alec felt Gabriel looking down at him, but Alec didn’t look up. “You didn’t think we found you just by accident, did you? Liam sent us to find you after he’d had enough of you.” No! The word echoed in his head. Liam couldn’t get enough of Alec. The sex had held some meaning. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion. Alec didn’t think. Liam had said he’d miss Alec. If only the busy-week excuse hadn’t felt so thin. It hadn’t quite made sense that Liam just disappeared like that because of work. Alec feared he was going to puke. Gabriel crouched down beside Alec, face close. “Liam,” said Gabriel with deliberate slowness, “had enough of fucking you. He was sick of you. And gave you to us. Though maybe he’ll visit, for old times sake.” Oh, it hurt, it hurt so badly. All Alec could think to do was not move—Gabriel got bored when he didn’t move and Gabriel would go away. Alec needed to bleed in private and not for someone’s entertainment. Gabriel spoke but Alec no longer heard. He didn’t know how long Gabriel stayed beside him—it could have been a minute, it could have been an hour—but finally Gabriel and his breath and his words were gone. Alec bent forward and hunched over, cradling himself, since no one else would. It wasn’t fair. His parents kicking him out of the house at sixteen because he was gay hadn’t been fair either. But it happened. He’d sucked it up. Thing was it didn’t just happen that someone was bitten by werewolves and chained in a shed. This was impossible to suck up. And he certainly couldn’t move on with this shackle around his ankle. Christ, his face was wet and he never cried; it never helped. He rolled onto his side to face the wall, breathing noisily as Gabriel liked to say. Time passed. Alec felt unhinged,

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not quite there. Maybe he dozed. He had vowed to remain strong but they were breaking him with Liam’s name. Day was gone. The dreaded moon came out and Alec shivered through it all. He was ready to give up. “I am strong,” said a clear young girl’s voice and Alec jerked to sitting. He just managed not to yell, blinking rapidly, trying to get his head together and process the words and their source. He stared blearily at a little nude girl with brown eyes and a tangled mess of hair. Red, perhaps, though moonlight was deceptive. “It’s me, Claire, and I am strong.” “Oh, Claire.” His voice broke on her name. Such a pretty thing, but too thin, too bedraggled, too frightened. Blue veins stood out in her face and her thin, undeveloped chest. Her shoulders hunched, a defeated posture. “You sound sad. I thought you would be happy to see me.” “I am happy to see you,” Alec allowed. “I’m glad you are strong,” he added. She got down on all fours and Alec watched in fascination as she crawled towards him, her movements reminiscent of the wolf Claire. Alec held out his palm, she pushed her cheek against it and Alec pulled her into a human hug. She rubbed her whole body against him, wolflike, but then she settled against him more like a young child. His sorely tested heart ached a little more for her. What kind of a life was this for a girl? “Did you think I could talk?” she asked. He blinked, having not considered the alternatives, though he supposed he should have. “Yes,” he said simply. “My mom taught me.” “Good.” “Before they took her away.” Oh, she made him sad. This was too sad a night and Alec felt like his heart couldn’t make it through.


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“I’m sorry they took her away, Claire.” He let out a rackety sigh. “My mom looked after me the right way. Trey says so.” Who’s Trey? But Alec thought he should ask another question first. “Where are Gabriel and Luke?” He couldn’t cope with either wolf visiting. “They run,” she said, as if that explained everything. Well, as long as they were away. “I’m too little to run so far.” Alec nodded as if he knew that. They sat in silence for a while. “Thank you for turning human for me, Claire.” “It’s not easy under a full moon. Some wolves can’t be human under a full moon. But Trey says I am very strong so I can.” “Ah.” Well, might as well ask. “Is Trey a werewolf, too, then?” “Oh, yes.” She nodded to emphasize this. “But he’s good. He’s my friend.” Alec wondered if that was possible. He hoped so. Claire deserved a friend, and while Alec had begun to think of himself as such, he was about the most useless friend she could have. Doomed friends usually were. “Claire, Luke and Gabriel are bad, bad people. You must get away from them. Where is this other friend? Can you go to him?” Alec might not get out of this alive, but she should, she should. She picked at a dirty toe and Alec waited until she looked up at him through messy hair, eyes defiant. “Gabriel says he killed Trey but Gabriel lies.” “Gabriel lies,” Alec repeated, his arm tightening around Claire because she had been with someone good before Gabriel and she should be with someone good again. “Yes. Gabriel said he wouldn’t hurt you because you’re my pet.” Alec scrubbed his face. “Yeah, well.” “Are you hungry?” He wasn’t. He didn’t want to eat. But if he didn’t want to give up, he had to try. “Yes.” She rose.

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“Claire. You’re going to get cold. Put on some clothes. And maybe you can bring me a blanket.” “Okay.” She skipped off to the house, as if happy to run these errands for him, which maybe she was. She led such a bleak existence. Half an hour later, they munched on cold cuts and potato chips. With a blanket on, Alec’s fingers no longer felt numb, even if his heart did. “My friend Trey likes potato chips.” “Uh-huh,” said Alec. “So I like them.” Alec smiled. Claire’s face became serious. “But I can’t stay with Trey. Even though he likes me, he doesn’t know how to raise children. He was taking me to a werewolf who did.” The back of Alec’s neck prickled and the vision of Liam shimmered. “A werewolf who knows how to raise children?” She nodded solemnly. “Is Liam nice?” She looked directly at Alec, her little brow furrowed in worry. “Gabriel says you know Liam.” His throat was so dry Alec couldn’t answer. He feared he was desperate to believe Liam was nice. She looked down at her feet, held onto her ankles and rocked slightly. “Gabriel lies but Trey doesn’t. Trey said Liam knows how to look after me. I’d have a brother, too, if Liam adopted me.” This was said wistfully, as if it wouldn’t come to pass. Ira. Was Ira a werewolf, too? Gawd. “But Liam hasn’t come to get me.” She sounded forlorn. “He came to get Ira, but he’s related to Ira and not me.” Alec worked his throat, trying to keep his voice even. He had too many questions and he needed to choose the most important ones. “Are Gabriel and Liam friends, Claire?” She shook her head. “Gabriel hates Liam.” She looked at Alec with hope. “You’re my friend, right?”


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“Yes, Claire, I’m your friend.” She peered around. “They can’t know that. I don’t want them to know I talked to you.” “I don’t want them to know, either. But you must talk to me again.” “Okay, but they might come back soon.” “Then you’d better go.” She slipped away and Alec slumped over, pressing his palms against his forehead, as if that pressure could keep his brains from falling out. How many werewolves were there in the world? Gabriel hated Liam. Alec hated Gabriel. Maybe Gabriel lied and Liam didn’t hate Alec. Because you could only do this—hand over your lover to be a pet—to someone you hated, loathed, despised. Alec could have sworn Liam didn’t despise him. Still, Liam was a werewolf and, Alec remembered now, had wanted to see Alec’s bite. Liam had known exactly what it was. A mark.

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Chapter Nine The next day Gabriel came down to gloat, but he got bored when Alec didn’t seem much different from previous days. Presumably he’d expected a nutcase after speaking Liam’s name. Gabriel lies, Alec repeated to himself, like a mantra. He prayed it was true. After Gabriel left, Alec talked quietly to the pup, asking that she visit him again that night when the men were gone and she could speak. She gave a low woof that Alec could now interpret as yes. “I want you to tell me everything you know about Liam, okay? Because I am trying to make a plan for you.” She cocked her head at that. Later she disappeared and returned with goodies, this time uncooked hotdogs. At least it was protein and while his stomach was a mess, his body was ravenous. He forced them down and drank water to wash away the taste. He assumed the wolves didn’t notice the missing food she brought him, or maybe they didn’t care. They didn’t pay much attention to Claire that Alec could tell and he didn’t know why she was with them. What would the men want with a little girl? There was, thank God, no sexual interest that he could discern. Had her “friend” Trey given her to them? Alec hoped not. Certainly, Liam took better care of Ira than they did of Claire. Maybe that meant something about the quality of a person, werewolf or not. Though Liam could still have betrayed Alec to them after he saw the bite. Marked. He’d been marked and this was his fate. Claire. If he thought of Claire and plotted out a way to make her safer, he might stay sane for another day or two before he totally cracked. Night fell and wolves didn’t come to see him. Only Claire, naked in moonlight. The girl was going to freeze to death if she kept this up. “You should wear clothes,” said Alec. www.samhainpublishing.com

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“I don’t like clothes. They’re uncomfortable.” “Winter is coming. You need them.” She shrugged. “I have fur.” “When you have fur, you can’t talk to me.” She smiled for the first time, dimpling, and he thought her adorable. Adorable and filthy, but he didn’t care about her dirt, just her well-being. “Claire, you must tell me everything you know about Liam.” She sat on her haunches. “He used to be with them, but then he left.” “He left. Why?” She shook her head, unknowing. “It was a long time ago.” “Okay.” “That was bad, that he left. Gabriel hates when wolves leave the quad.” She shivered. “But I want to leave. I don’t like it here.” “The quad. Are there four of them, then?” Please God, don’t let there be more here. She screwed up her face in thought. “Sometimes.” Alec didn’t pursue that cryptic answer. Claire’s knowledge was evidently limited. “What else do you know about Liam?” “He took away a boy. His brother. Gabriel didn’t like that either. He wants the boy back.” Alec’s mouth went dry. He feared he was hoping too hard for Liam to be a good guy. So he stayed silent while Claire pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. “I don’t remember the boy’s name,” she admitted finally. “Was it Ira?” Her face lit up. “Yes! Do you know Ira?” “A little.” “Is he nice? Does he want a sister?” “I think he might,” Alec said slowly, having no idea. “Claire, do you know why Liam took Ira away?”

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She appeared puzzled by the question. “Liam wanted to look after Ira.” She paused, licked her lips. “Do you think Liam would want to look after me?” “Yes,” declared Alec. “I think he would.” Her eyes shone. “But he might not know about you, Claire. So we have to contact him and tell him you’re here.” She blinked. “Claire, I know Liam’s phone number.” For stupid sentimental reasons, Alec had memorized that damned phone number on Liam’s business card, and Liam worked out of the house. “I want you to memorize Liam’s phone number and then phone him, okay?” “I don’t know how to use the phone,” she said in a small voice. “Okay. What phones are in the house?” She scrunched up her face, thinking, the question seemed to baffle her. She wasn’t used to questions, Alec guessed. “I don’t know,” she whispered. Alec wondered just how little she had used modern conveniences. “If there aren’t any, you’re going to have to run away from here and find a phone to call Liam.” She shook her head. “I can’t phone. I don’t know numbers.” Christ, she was illiterate. “Okay.” He kept his tone even, though his head was throbbing. He needed to drink more. “Let me think for a moment.” He pressed his hands against his temples. “I could hide in their truck.” His head came up. “Where do they drive?” “I don’t know. They bring back groceries.” “Okay, good. That’s good.” “It is?” “Yep.” He’d forgotten how she craved compliments. “You are so helpful, Claire. Smart, too.” She squirmed a little under his praise.


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“I have an idea, but you’ll need clothes,” he warned. “Okay,” she said grudgingly. “Good. So, you hide in the truck, as a girl in clothes. Then you run away when they won’t notice. Can you do that?” She gave it some thought before stating quite definitely, “Yes.” “They won’t find your scent or something?” “I know how to hide.” He nodded. He’d have to take her word for it. He hoped she wasn’t overconfident, though he didn’t think it her nature. “But there’s a tricky part. Later, when they’re gone, you have to talk to a stranger.” Her eyes went wide and Alec felt guilty for telling a ten-year-old girl to talk to a stranger. But hell, she was not safe here with creatures who shackled some men and killed others. She deserved better than that. “You go into the grocery store, after you’re sure they’ve left, and you find a lady with kids.” “Like a mother?” she asked eagerly. “Exactly. Like a mother.” Alec took a deep breath. “You tell her you’re lost and you want to call home. Now, she might have a phone and use it, or she might take you to someone else who has a phone. It doesn’t matter. You ask her, or the other person, to phone the number you’ve memorized and then you talk to Liam.” Claire stared at Alec with big brown eyes and he wasn’t sure she understood. “What if he won’t talk to me?” “He will,” Alec avowed. Liam had to. “I don’t know how to talk on the phone.” “You watch whoever phones Liam, to see how they talk on the phone and you talk like that.” “Do I shout?” “No, you talk like you’re talking to me. But you have to wait until Liam says hello.” “What if he doesn’t say hello?”

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It was possible. Liam could be out. Liam could be far, far away. “Then you wait with the woman, then ask her to call again. Or you start over, with a new woman.” She gnawed her lip, looking uncertain. Alec knew it wasn’t a foolproof plan, but under the circumstances, it was their best bet. “I think you have to try, Claire. I think it’s worth trying.” “If normals grab me, they’ll chain me.” Alec shook his head. “They’ll think you’re normal, see?” “But I can’t stay a girl,” she said, appalled. “For a short time, you must. You can’t remain here, Claire. Once you’re with Liam, you won’t have to stay a girl all the time, right?” She placed a hand on his chest, clutching his shirt a little. “But I like being with you.” His chest hurt. “I like being with you, too, sweetheart. But it’s a bad place to be. It will make me happy to think you’re in a better place.” She thought about this, brought her thumb to her mouth and sucked on it. Alec didn’t interrupt her thoughts. “I don’t want to leave you here,” she said after a while. “You can tell Liam where I am.” Her eyes widened. “I’ll tell him to rescue you.” Alec didn’t react. It was possible Liam wouldn’t care about non-werewolves or marks or even just Alec. Alec didn’t want to hope and have that hope crushed. Though he was banking on Liam caring about a little wolf girl because Liam cared about Ira. “I will.” This rescue idea seemed to give Claire confidence. “Okay.” “And if he doesn’t, I’ll come back here with my friend Trey. Because they only keep you because I like you. The last girl with the quad killed herself and they don’t want me to do that.” Christ, who had told her that? “Please don’t kill yourself, Claire. I like you too much.”


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She snuggled up to him then, making a rather wolfish noise of pleasure, and he brought his arm around her. “Alec?” “Yes?” “Do you like Liam?” She sounded worried. He dragged a hand through his filthy hair. “Yes.” The word came out a shuddery sigh that would have embarrassed him if he weren’t so exhausted. He was descending into a stupor. “When do I have to go?” “As soon as possible. You go tomorrow if you get the chance. It’s that important, Claire.” “Okay.” “Now, you’re going to learn the phone number.” He recited it and she repeated it to him many times, until it became an odd kind of comforting chant. After a time, she rose, wanting to leave before Gabriel or Luke found her girl-form with Alec. Her thin undernourished body moved out of the moonlight and into the darkness. If he could get her away from here, it was worth something. He just hoped Liam could be trusted. Y “Where the fuck is Trey?” Liam didn’t mean to sound like an asshole, but he needed Trey here yesterday. Veronica eyed Liam, clearly annoyed. “I am worried about him. That Trey’s not here by now doesn’t make sense unless…” She bit her lip. “Unless he was more injured than he let on,” Liam said in disapproval. Trey never liked to appear vulnerable. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” “It would have been responsible, under the circumstances, to let you know exactly what was going on, Veronica.” 106


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She placed fists on her hips, but David spoke up. “How many are there in the quad now?” “Three,” answered Veronica. “Though the girl cub doesn’t count.” “So they picked her up how?” David’s question echoed Liam’s own. Where was the girl from? “I don’t know. Trey cut the conversation short. You know he doesn’t like phones now.” Not since his former employer, the FBI, wanted to find him. But Liam didn’t have time to think about Trey’s troubles. “The quad has Alec,” Liam declared, certain of it. “We have to look for him, with or without Trey.” “You don’t know—” began David. “They have Alec,” Liam repeated. “I know. I know them. I belonged.” “Ten years ago,” Veronica pointed out. “Gabriel has not changed, I promise you. Trey should have put a bullet in his brother’s head long ago.” Veronica and David just stared at Liam. They believed Trey had tried. Liam had his doubts and now Gabriel had Alec. It made Liam wild with fear. “We can’t just wait until he kills Alec.” “We need to protect Ira, too,” Veronica said quietly. Liam glowered at her. “It’s the fucking reason I’m here.” Veronica flinched. He was going all alpha on her, but he didn’t care. “I want to protect all my pack, not cherry-pick favorites.” David swore and stepped in front of Veronica, ready to go toe-to-toe with Liam. He abruptly turned his back. It was hard, he wanted a showdown, but not with these two, not with his only friends. “This is not ‘cherry-picking’. The quad abducted Alec. Their choice, not ours. And you’ve been out searching for Alec anyway.” David’s voice was steady, but heavy with disapprobation. Liam’s nightly forays left everyone more vulnerable to the quad’s attacks. Which was why they were relatively brief and he didn’t stray too far. Liam’s fists


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clenched. It was also why his half-assed searches had failed to find any trace of a useful scent. But he couldn’t simply do nothing for Alec. Veronica placed a hand on Liam’s shoulder and, with her touch, he found it a little easier to breathe. “Seth will be here tomorrow, Liam. He’ll help protect us and you can spend your energy and time on finding Alec.” Smothering a sob, Liam twisted away from her. It would be too late. It was already too late. But he had to try, not just leave Alec to his godawful fate. Liam rubbed his eyes. Veronica came around and hugged him, something she rarely did because of David’s jealousy. Liam buried his face in her hair. Her breath feathered against his neck as she spoke. “I’m sorry Seth couldn’t fly until the full moon had run its course.” Liam stepped back and jerked a nod. Traveling during the full moon was risky at best. Yet he felt so guilty that he hadn’t protected Alec. He should have revealed himself, told Alec he was wolf—and terrified the shit out of him. The phone rang and Liam jumped. Running a hand over his face, he pulled himself together and walked over to the wall to pick up the cordless. “Hello?” “Mmm, Liam, Liam?” A quick, breathy voice repeated his name, stressing the second syllable as if it was a new and strange word. Then it stopped. “Yes,” he said, slowly, encouraging. He heard breathing as her answer and the hairs on his neck rose up. “Hello?” “Liam?” she tried again, a mix of uncertainty and desperation. Obviously a little girl’s voice. Liam’s shoulders felt shivery and cold, as if his haunches were rising. “I’m Liam,” he replied as calmly as possible. Friendly-like. The voice was young, almost untried.

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“Alec’s friend.” She whispered the words, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear but Liam. Then she spoke louder and in a stilted, rehearsed fashion. “Can I come home, Liam?” “Yes. Yes.” His brain was playing catch up. “Where are you, Alec’s friend? I will come get you. Tell me where you are.” “I don’t know.” She sounded forlorn, and for a panicked moment, Liam was stumped. “You describe where you are to me,” he suggested. “How about that?” “The lady wants to tell you.” The lady? Suddenly, the child’s voice—his only connection to Alec—was gone and a lady chattered on the phone, reassuring him. “Your little girl is just fine, sir. She says she ran away?” Liam didn’t know how to answer that. She continued past the troubled pause. “If you’ll come to—” Liam scribbled down the name of the grocery store, its address and phone number while Veronica and David watched him intently. “My God,” he said, because he wanted to talk to that little girl now. “It’s an hour away.” “Oh?” The lady sounded confused. “My goodness. Well, she said you left her behind. I suppose she ran away after that…?” Liam couldn’t explain it either. “Please, I’m begging you, keep a close eye on her till I get there. I’m six feet, blond hair, green jacket.” The lady lowered her voice. “I should warn you, she’s quite dirty. I don’t know what she’s been into.” “Okay.” Liam didn’t know what was expected from him. “But I just want her safe. Is she safe?” “Yes. I’ll be watching her. And we have some crayons here.” “Excellent.”


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“I gather you don’t let her watch TV?” Huh? “Since she doesn’t seem to know what the TV is.” The lady observed this with some consternation. “It is totally fine if she watches TV. No problem whatsoever. As long as she’s safe.” “She’s eating now!” the lady exclaimed brightly, presumably pleased the werewolf child was showing some normal behavior. “Perfect,” declared Liam. “I’m on my way.” He had to get off the phone and on the road. He hung up and spun to look at Veronica and David. “There’s a little girl asking for me. Says she’s Alec’s friend. She must be the girl cub.” Veronica frowned. “Could be. Was her name Claire?” “I didn’t ask. We have to go. Now.” David nodded. “Absolutely.” “We’ll stay together this time.” Veronica’s eyes brightened. “We have a lead, Liam. David, bring the gun.” They grabbed Ira from his bedroom and piled in the van.

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Chapter Ten Alec expected to go out in a blaze of terror. But while Gabriel and Luke came down to the shed and threw him back and forth between them—he pretended he was somewhere else and they asked where Claire was—they didn’t actually decide to kill him. They were more concerned about finding the girl. Besides, something about Alec’s numb behavior convinced them he knew nothing of her fate. Luke gave Alec a parting kick. Worse, Gabriel knocked over Alec’s water. That had happened midday and now, well into evening, the thirst was getting to him. As was the dull despair. Despite his first rush of euphoria when he’d realized Claire had escaped, Alec was mostly gripped by fear that she would be caught and punished, that his plan and her actions had been for naught. He couldn’t face such failure. As the hours ticked by, the fear’s grip lessened and he found his thoughts wandering to strange places. A collage of images passed through his mind—childhood, Claire, lost parents, Liam. But he couldn’t focus on anyone and he wondered if he was losing it. Perhaps Gabriel had decided to abandon him here, leaving him to die of dehydration. He’d shouted his head off late in the afternoon, to no avail. The effort had exhausted him and hurt his already dry throat. He dozed deep into the night, interrupted by shivers and nightmares. Some time after the moon set, an engine sounded, alarmingly close, and he jerked up to sitting, then wrapped his arms around his legs, trying to still the trembling that came from being endlessly cold. They were back, after all. Maybe more of the quad. And God knows what they would do to him now. He just hoped they didn’t have Claire. They drove past the end of the driveway and around to the back of the house. Unusual. Alec flinched as the vehicle’s lights shone on him. He wanted to crawl into a dark corner and hide. But the two beams of light got rid of all dark corners so he forced www.samhainpublishing.com

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himself to face them. Pride wasn’t a lot, but it was just about all he had left. He lifted an arm to shield his eyes from the harsh brightness of the unforgiving headlights. A figure emerged and strode towards him. Heart pounding, Alec squinted, trying to see. Out of the light came golden hair and a long, lean body. Alec’s breath baled out and he didn’t know if relief or terror shook him. He couldn’t see the expression on the golden boy’s face. Then an ax, of all things, was lifted, its blade glinting in the light. Alec watched, as if he were watching a TV show and he wasn’t in it. “Fuckers.” The word was a growl and it wasn’t aimed at him. The blade came smashing down on the chain that held him to the cement floor. The link broke and Alec stared at crushed metal. He felt, more than saw, Liam crouch down beside him, near, but not touching. Alec found he couldn’t lift his gaze to meet Liam’s and he wanted to hide the shackle around his ankle, despite the fact Liam had already observed his captive state. Alec had never wanted to be seen like this, like a thing that was owned. “It’s time to leave,” Liam said gently. Perhaps it was safe to think Liam wanted to help. “I am going to stand.” Alec’s voice sounded raw, but it didn’t shake, at least. He would walk out of here, if he accomplished nothing else. As he pushed himself up, his head reeled. But he ignored it, taking one step after another. The heavy shackle weighed down one leg, but he limped out of that fucking shed. He stopped then, just beyond, and while he fought it, his strength drained away and his world turned dark. Liam’s arms came around him. “I’ve got you, Alec.” He passed out. When he came to, he sat in a van, rolling along a dirt road, a seat belt strapped across his chest, the shackle still on his ankle. He was waking to a nightmare, again. But this time, a high whispering voice kept saying, “Want to see him, just see him.” “You can see him, Claire,” came Liam’s soothing tones. Claire. Alec opened his eyes.

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“He’s awake,” she declared, remonstrating Liam who held her back. He let go and she crawled over the seat to Alec and leaned into him, rubbing her face against his arm. He was too dirty for her to be touching him, but he hadn’t the heart to push her away. And he was glad, so glad, they were with Liam and not Gabriel. “Look, Alec,” Liam spoke quietly, carefully, “I think you really need a drink.” “Oh, yeah. Okay.” It felt surreal this, driving in a van with Liam and Claire, both werewolves, one leaning on him, the other passing him a water bottle. Alec guzzled its contents. The noise of his swallowing sounded loud in his ears. “There are some juice boxes behind you, Liam.” An adult female spoke, startling Alec, though someone had to be driving and it wasn’t Liam. She met Alec’s gaze in the rearview mirror. It was dark, but her eyes seemed to be golden, like Liam’s. The presence of another werewolf made Alec shiver. “Hi there. I’m Veronica. We’re so grateful you saved Claire. Thank you.” Saved. That was good. They thought he’d saved Claire. Maybe they wouldn’t make him their pet. Maybe they hated Gabriel, too. Gabriel. They’d brought Claire back into Gabriel’s domain. He could have grabbed her. He’d been frantic to find her again. “You shouldn’t have brought Claire and put her within their reach. Gabriel wants her back. Badly.” Alec hadn’t understood Gabriel’s desperation, though the wolf had talked about growing the quad, whatever the fuck that meant. Claire wasn’t exactly old enough to bear children, even if she was old enough to be abused. Liam turned his head and for the first time, Alec met his gaze, golden but dark in the night. His eyes were rich with emotion, yet Alec couldn’t read them. “Alec!” declared Claire indignantly and Alec found himself startled by the girl’s exclamation. Christ, he found himself startled by everything and he hated it. “Liam didn’t know where you were. He needed me to find you. And Veronica to drive. David stayed to guard Ira.” Alec didn’t have the energy to ask who David was. No doubt another werewolf. “We were not going to just leave you there,” Liam stated in no uncertain terms.


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At that Alec looked out the window, overcome. Liam placed a juice box in his hand and Alec drank it up, though it tasted sickly sweet and turned his stomach. He was beyond exhausted. Claire said his name once or twice, but he only grunted replies. At some point, Liam took the empty juice box out of his hand. Claire roused him when they stopped, apparently in Liam’s garage. She didn’t want to leave Alec’s side, but Veronica lifted her away and carried her off despite the girl’s weary protests. Alec glimpsed her head falling onto Veronica’s shoulder. It had been a very long day for Claire, too. Liam opened the door on Alec’s side of the van, then crouched down as Alec swung his legs out. In Liam’s hand was clutched a sharp-toothed blade. Alec’s eyes widened in alarm. “I know what I’m doing,” Liam reassured him. “I’m a woodworker, I work with saws. And this shackle is rusting and falling apart. We should be able to get it off you.” Liam looked up, locking his intense gaze on Alec. “You need to stay still so I don’t hurt you, okay?” Swallowing, Alec closed his eyes to focus on not moving. He’d focused on not moving a lot lately. This was just one more time. And time seemed a fluid concept right now, as Alec seemed to fade in and out of consciousness. He waited for the pain, but it didn’t come, only some whining metal-scraping noise. It took a while, but the rusted metal fell away from Alec’s ankle. He should have felt free. He must have dozed, because the shackle and Liam were suddenly gone. Just as suddenly Liam was back, empty-handed. “Let’s go in the house.” His mouth quirked up in an attempt to smile. “You’ve seen my house before.” Alec stood, a little shakily, but it was easier walking sans shackle, and he made it up two steps and into the house. “I really want a shower.” He hated the pleading note in his voice. “Sure.” It was something of a blur, but Alec got to the washroom, shut the door and stripped off his soiled clothes. He put the water at scalding in the hopes he could actually warm up

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and clean himself. He was filthy. After he washed three times with soap and shampoo, a wave of exhaustion hit him and he decided to just sit down in the bath for a couple of minutes.

Alec had been in the shower too long. Liam paced outside the door Alec had so firmly shut. That he wanted privacy after his ordeal made total sense. Liam knew Alec was desperate to be clean, too, but the hot water would be emptying out by now. When they’d found him, Alec was obviously chilled. He certainly didn’t need to stand in cold water. Liam knocked, then knocked more loudly. Turning the handle, he slowly opened the door and peered into the steamy room. “Alec?” No response. A little alarmed, Liam dispensed with the niceties of giving Alec privacy and strode over to the tub to push aside the shower curtain. He cut off the now cooling water and looked down at Alec who was curled up and leaning against the side of the bathtub. “Alec?” His eyelids fluttered, but did not open. Alec didn’t even react when Liam touched his neck. Feeling a strong pulse, Liam breathed easier. He grabbed a towel and dried Alec off as best he could before lifting him out and carrying him to his bed. If Claire was right, Alec had been shackled in that shed for five days. The ankle was scraped raw and discolored. Alec’s face was bruised. At least the quad hadn’t bitten him again, even if they’d banged him up some. Though Liam wanted to hold, warm and comfort Alec, he kept touch to a minimum and simply covered a shivery Alec with blankets. For days, Gabriel had controlled Alec and Liam intended to tread lightly. Still, he brushed damp hair off Alec’s forehead and caressed his cheek with one knuckle. Alec released a soft sigh. Then Liam let him be. Alec’s short, dark eyelashes didn’t move now. His face showed strain, but Liam hoped Alec found some peace in his bed. Liam chose to lie on the floor for a couple of


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hours, otherwise he would reach for Alec in his sleep and he didn’t know how Alec would react to that. Surprisingly, it wasn’t lonely on his rug, because listening to Alec breathe was such a reassuring noise after the terrible fear Liam had carried with him this past week. When they’d picked up Claire, he hadn’t known if her garbled account was accurate. The girl had appeared lucid, even clever, but she became easily confused by conversation, as if she had spoken little in her short life. Still she’d given them enough information to convince Veronica, David and Liam that they had to drive out to rescue Alec. At six thirty in the morning, Ira rose and Liam crept out of the bedroom, leaving Alec to his deep sleep. Ira wanted to see Alec right away, since Claire had seen him last night and Ira felt he had a prior claim on his friend. He refused to understand why he couldn’t just sneak in to peek at Alec sleeping. “Alec is not on display, Ira.” Not anymore. Ira frowned, uncomprehending, then started up again. “Give it a rest,” Liam finally snapped and Ira stumped off to sulk in a corner. He wasn’t best pleased to have another child in the house. Later, Veronica came downstairs with Claire. Ira was also jealous that Claire shared Veronica’s bedroom, for the girl was desperate for company and became distressed by the idea of sleeping alone. They all had breakfast after which the kids got distracted by David and a game of Uno in the living room. Pulling Liam aside, Veronica took him back into the kitchen. “I’m really worried about Trey. He should be here by now. Do you think the quad could have got him?” Liam grimaced. Right now he had a hard time thinking about anyone but Alec. The murderous rage that accompanied any thoughts of the quad kept Liam off balance. But he had to think, not let the fury and anger overtake him. “Liam?” “Huh?” “I was talking to you. About what we should do about Trey.”

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“Trey knows how to look after himself, because that’s all he ever does.” She regarded him steadily and while he didn’t look away, Liam’s face heated up. “Trey busts his ass for us every fucking time we ask him to. Who helped extract Ira from the quad last year?” “Okay.” Liam held up his hand. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. The guy just bothers me.” “Alphas don’t like alphas,” she said dryly. “You know that. You also know Trey is one of the good guys.” Trey also reminded Liam eerily of Gabriel. They both had the same cold-hearted approach to life, except Trey used his strength for good. Apparently. Veronica sighed. “I understand you’re upset by what happened to Alec but, you know, I can be worried about Trey and be concerned about Alec’s well-being. One does not preclude the other.” She placed a hand on his arm, steadying him. “For what it’s worth, I’d be spitting with rage if someone did that to my David.” Liam jerked away and stared, realizing the implications of what Veronica had just said. Her eyes were clear and she nodded slowly. Mate. He was reacting to Alec as if he was his mate. It would have been obvious if he’d stopped to think this past week, but he hadn’t had the time. Liam pulled in a long breath, wondering how Alec would respond to this development. Probably not all that well. Who wants to have a werewolf as a mate, when you’ve been marked one year and shackled in a shed the next year? “You okay, Liam?” “Yes, thanks.” Though Liam wasn’t feeling all that grateful. Under the circumstances, he could have done with ignoring his feelings for a while longer. “I should wake Alec to drink something. He got really dehydrated.” They both set up a tray with different drinks, some toast and porridge. She planted a kiss on his cheek and went to the den where David and the kids were playing their card games.


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Liam roused Alec simply by speaking his name twice. On the second time, Alec sat up, gulping air, a wild expression on his face. “Hey, it’s me, Alec.” Liam liked saying his mate’s name. If Alec’s fear didn’t completely abate, at least he looked calmer. Once Alec understood Liam wanted him to drink and eat, he was quietly obedient about it, even mechanical, which Liam found a bit disturbing. They barely spoke. Alec used the washroom, rolled back into bed and went to sleep, all while Liam watched him. He brought the empty tray down and Veronica was pleased Alec had eaten. Alec slept most of the day, Veronica watched the kids and David, gun in hand, went to pick up Seth, Veronica’s brother, from the airport. At suppertime Alec ate again, had another shower and barely looked up while Liam ached for him. Exhaustion, Liam told himself. Well, exhaustion and shock. Y Dark again. It was dark too much of the time, what with the shortening of days and no light in the shed. His ankle hurt and he loathed the way he cringed whenever he heard a noise. He wanted to be strong. Had to be. He kept staring at the shackle. Despite the darkness, he could see it change from rust to black, as did the skin it touched. He tried to look away, to not think about it, but he was weak and his gaze went back to his leg. It became black like the shackle, turning to filth. He would disappear in this foul place, turn to black dust and blow away, and no one would ever know. He had never felt so alone. “Alec, wake up.” Alec bolted to sitting, chest heaving, trying to get his bearings. His breathing was noisy. Again. He didn’t want to make noise, didn’t want to move. “Alec, it’s me, Liam.” Christ, he was in bed, Liam’s bed, not on that dirty floor. Alec looked down to see he was fisting the duvet comforter, as if holding on to feathers and cotton would somehow save him. How had he become such an object of ridicule this past week? 118


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Liam wasn’t laughing, didn’t even seem amused, but Alec couldn’t face the golden werewolf, the man who had rescued him from captivity, who now fed him and took care of him, and Alec wasn’t entirely certain why. He didn’t know the rules in this new land of werewolves, quads and pets. Yet he’d dreamed about this man every night in that godawful shed. “It’s safe here.” Liam’s slightly halting voice sounded uncertain, which puzzled Alec. Liam had all the power here, or so Alec felt. “You’re safe here.” Alec scrubbed his face. “Good.” He didn’t know about safe, but it was an improvement over the previous night. Liam sat on the bed, near but not quite touching, and his presence calmed Alec, oddly enough. He managed to release his death hold on the bedding. “Bad dream,” Alec explained, because he should say something to show he was in control. “I guess I’m sleeping too much.” “It’s good. To sleep, that is.” Alec let out a long, shaky breath. Silence reigned and Alec didn’t know what to say to his rescuer. Thanks stuck in his throat and he was afraid he’d choke on the word. The bed shifted. Liam was leaving. God, Alec didn’t want to be alone again. He just couldn’t stand it right now. He swallowed. “Liam,” he said quickly, moving across the bed, and Liam stopped. Alec had to at least look at the man, the werewolf, but he had trouble lifting his gaze, worried by what he might reveal of himself. Jesus, he was tired of feeling vulnerable. He clenched his jaw. Before their eyes met, Liam shifted, as if to rise, and Alec threw himself at him, wrapping an arm around Liam’s neck, then another under his arm to hold onto his shoulder. Alec buried his burning face in Liam’s neck. He didn’t know what the fuck he was doing. He didn’t even trust Liam, who had stiffened under the onslaught. But Alec couldn’t manage to let go. Alec feared he was going to cling if Liam tried to disengage him. Instead, Liam relaxed and lay back, his strong, comforting arms coming around Alec. He held Alec, one


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warm hand against his ribs, while the other hand stroked his back through the thin cotton—a featherlight touch on his spine, his muscles, his shoulder blades. Obviously Liam could hear Alec’s breath rattle in and out—it took all his energy not to break down—but it didn’t seem so bad if Liam hugged him. Nothing seemed quite so bad then. Except Alec had to ask. Had to. He didn’t want to. “They said you told them.” He gritted out each word against Liam’s neck. “Where I was.” Beneath him Liam went still. “Gabriel said,” Alec forced out, in case he wasn’t making sense. “You gave me. To Gabriel.” “No.” The word was flat, calm and indestructible. “I would never tell Gabriel about you, Alec.” “Said you were sick of fucking me. Gave me—” “No, Alec.” Liam pulled him closer, when Alec was already wrapped tight around him. “That would never happen. Never. Gabriel lied to you.” The tension leached from Alec’s body, and he sank into Liam who didn’t stop touching him, reassuring him with those hands. “Alec, will you look at me?” Alec shook his head against Liam. “Okay. But let me tell you something. Gabriel hates me and I am going to kill Gabriel. Rip out his throat. That is our relationship. I do not give people to Gabriel, especially people I care about and I care about you a lot.” They were silent, Alec breathing against Liam’s neck. Liam’s fingers dancing over Alec’s back in a reassuring pattern. Liam’s next words seemed to come with more difficulty. “My mother gave me to Gabriel, as a werewolf, to run with his pack—I realize that was a little different than your situation—but it is the worst thing she ever did to me. I would never give anyone else to that man. Especially you.” After a time, Alec admitted, “It was hard to hear Gabriel say that about you and me.”

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Liam kissed Alec’s hair. At some point during their embrace, Liam had hardened beneath him and while it didn’t alarm Alec, he said, “No fucking, Liam. Okay?” “No fucking,” he agreed, his fingers combing through Alec’s hair. Liam didn’t say anything else. He just held and touched Alec, whose eyelids relaxed. At some point, he didn’t know when, he fell asleep on top of Liam.


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Chapter Eleven They slept tangled. Well, Alec did most of the sleeping, while Liam marveled that Alec now lay safely in his arms. It felt too precious, this embrace. Veronica had been right. In one of her interminable, if well-meaning, you-need-a-mate lectures, she had informed Liam that wolves required touch because they were more tactile than most normals. “What about Trey?” Liam had asked. “You can’t get more lone wolf than that.” Veronica had just looked irritated. “An exception and even then, I sometimes wonder… Besides, you don’t exactly model yourself on Trey.” Liam breathed in Alec’s scent. Hardly stress-free, but the worst of his shock had subsided. It was a good sign that Alec had asked him about Gabriel’s lies. It showed trust, even if Alec couldn’t seem to look him in the eye for any length of time. What that was about, Liam didn’t know. Before Gabriel, Alec had met his gaze no problem. The rage began to build again. During the night, Liam had cycled through his emotions, alternating between this incredible tenderness for Alec and fury at Gabriel who had to die. Alec shifted, Liam ran a hand down his spine and Alec jolted away, rearing back, eyes wide and confused. Well, Alec was meeting his gaze, but terror wasn’t quite what Liam wanted. “Morning,” Liam murmured. Still not awake, Alec stared and Liam could hear his lover’s heart hammering. He reached out and encircled Alec’s wrist, finding the rapid pulse. Alec looked down at the contact, but did not pull his hand away, even while he disentangled his legs from Liam’s. “Sorry if I woke you,” said Liam.

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At that, Alec did retrieve his arm, and rubbed his face. Without a word, he slid off the bed and padded over to the washroom. As Liam went to take his turn, they passed each other by the door and Alec leaned away from him. When Liam emerged, Alec sat on the bed, staring into space, his expression grim. While no longer in shock as he’d been last night, obviously Alec had a ways to go before he felt at ease. Liam decided it was time for Alec to get out of this room, see the kids, see some different furniture, at least. “Ready to venture downstairs?” Liam asked. “You have two fans who are dying to see you again.” “Fans?” Alec darted him a glance, there and away. He looked back again, wary, as if Liam might be toying with him. “Yes. Ira is a little jealous because Claire has seen you and he hasn’t. Truth is, he’s a lot jealous of Claire, period. He hasn’t had to share his adults with any other child.” A ghost of a smile crossed Alec’s face. Liam tried to find that expression encouraging but Alec’s withdrawal worried him. He thought they’d had a breakthrough of sorts last night. “Alec?” “Hmmm?” He picked at the duvet cover. But Liam didn’t know what to say. Don’t you trust me? didn’t seem like a useful question. Instead, he sat down close to Alec. He raised a hand to brush Alec’s cheek so Alec would look at him. Pure defiance stared out of his eyes and Liam didn’t hide his confusion. “I’m sorry I tried to break your neck last night.” Alec strove for wry humor, but a hint of a tremor in his voice cut through Liam, who couldn’t figure out what Alec really meant the apology for. Liam kept his answer simple. “I like holding you. It means a lot to me.” Alec went back to picking at the wayward thread. “You didn’t have much choice.”


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Under other circumstances, Liam might have found this bashfulness endearing, but Alec was too shaky right now. “I missed you.” Liam kept his words low. “And I’ve been so worried about you since Saturday.” Alec’s head jerked up. “You knew where I was?” “I guessed Gabriel had taken you,” Liam explained. “If I’d known where, I would have come after you right away.” “Why?” Alec’s brittle demand made little sense to Liam. “Why? Because you shouldn’t be…” subjected seemed to be the wrong word choice, “…with Gabriel.” “I should be with you? Are you going to pet me now?” “Pet?” “What? The quad didn’t keep pets when you were with them?” “No.” Now how the hell did Alec know to use the term “quad”? Wishing that Alec never had to know about those sordid two years, Liam felt a flush spread up his neck. “Why act like you don’t know what I’m talking about? That you don’t know Gabriel called me their pet?” Unconsciously, or so Liam thought, Alec brushed fingers across his scar. Liam reached over and covered Alec’s hand, because despite all his talk, Alec seemed to calm to Liam’s touch. “You knew, Liam. You knew about my scar and pretended to believe my dog-bite story.” “Yes.” Liam exhaled slowly. “You humored me. You played along.” “I wanted to tell you I was a werewolf, but I thought it might freak you out.” “Freak me out, yeah.” Alec laughed, a harsh, high sound. “And that would be so much worse than what did happen.” Liam felt miserable. “I’m sorry.” “Why’d you insist on looking at my scar the other day? I don’t think it was intentional foreplay.” “To make sure Ira was right when he said he remembered you being marked.” Liam met Alec’s dark, still gaze. “Ira was with the quad at the same time they caught you, you

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see. He was extremely unhappy with them. Terrified, in fact.” Gabriel, even when he didn’t want to, managed to terrify young recruits. “I wanted to tell you then and there, when I saw your mark. But I thought we had enough time that I could afford to gain your trust before I…revealed myself to you.” Alec looked away. This conversation wasn’t going how Liam wanted. No surprise there. Abruptly Alec stood. “I want another shower.” “You’re clean.” Alec just shook his head. Y He wore Liam’s clothes, ate Liam’s food and even slept in Liam’s bed. As if he belonged to Liam. It made Alec uneasy. But the idea of leaving, of being on his own where Gabriel or Luke could grab him, at home or on the streets, was so much worse. Unbearable. Don’t think about that. Just think of what to do now. Take it one hour at a time. That philosophy of life had worked in the shed. For the most part. Don’t think about the shed. He walked to the bottom of the stairs and waited, not sure where to go. During Alec’s half-hour shower, Liam had disappeared from the bedroom. “Mr. Alec!” The joyful greeting from down the hall startled Alec. He tried not to look alarmed as Ira raced towards him and screeched to a halt two feet away to stare at Alec’s stomach. At the boy’s characteristic shyness, Alec couldn’t help but smile. “Hey, Ira.” With that, Ira beamed up at him. “You’re here.” “Yup.” Alec found he didn’t know what to say. Usually not a problem he had when conversing with eight-year-olds. Then again, usually he hadn’t just been rescued from psychotic werewolves by, he hoped, non-psychotic werewolves. Ira was a werewolf.


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“My friend, Alec!” came a high piping voice and, from out of the living room, Claire scrambled towards him on all fours before rising up to throw herself into his arms, giving Alec no choice but to catch her. “Hey, Claire.” She nuzzled into his chest. Ira scowled at them. “Get off, Claire. I was here first.” He reached up to pull at the girl, who just clung tighter. A woman, Veronica of the golden eyes, rounded the corner. “I was first. It’s my turn, not hers.” Ira looked dangerously close to tears. “Ira. Claire. Give Alec a chance to eat breakfast, okay?” She detached Claire from Alec and the young girl went to her easily, snuggling into her new caretaker. Claire seemed to just soak up physical affection. “She has to learn about taking turns,” Ira muttered darkly. “She doesn’t know anything. Everyone has to explain the rules of a game ten thousand times and she still doesn’t get it.” “Ira,” Veronica warned. “And why does she act like a baby, being carried all the time?” “Ira,” repeated Veronica. “Be nice.” Ira stuck out his lower lip while Claire looked down through her eyelashes. Her slightly smug expression was one Alec had never seen before. Well, no doubt it had been hard for Claire to feel smug in that damned shed. “Where’s Liam?” asked Alec, aiming for a casual tone, but his face heated up. He felt uneasy talking to Veronica, which embarrassed him. This woman had driven him away from Gabriel’s two nights ago. She was one of the good guys, surely. “He’s with my brother,” she answered. Gawd, not another werewolf. She gestured backwards, thumb indicating the living room, but Alec couldn’t see anyone. “I’d also like you to meet my husband, David.”

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Alec’s chest tightened. Six. There were too many of them. And only one of him. He fought against his rising panic. As if reading his mind, or more likely his pained expression, Veronica continued, “My husband is not a werewolf. I think he’ll be a bit relieved to have another normal around.” “Normal?” Alec just kept his voice from cracking. “Is that what I am?” His parents would be so relieved that he was no longer considered a deviant. They had longed to think of him as normal. He ran a hand over his face to collect himself. Hell, why did he have to think of his parents now? Veronica smiled reassuringly and Alec supposed all his fears and insecurities were on display. He’d never been an expert dissembler when stressed. And make no mistake, he was stressed now. Where was Liam? Still carrying Claire, Veronica led him across the threshold of the living room. As Alec stepped in, the space opened up and people suddenly appeared. It was with great relief that Alec saw Liam. Eyes intense, Liam strode across to him from the opposite end of the room. Despite his reaction to Liam and the comfort of his presence, Alec had a hard time holding Liam’s gaze. He had an excuse to look away because Veronica was introducing Alec to “her mate” David, a blond, compact, muscular man who appeared to be making some kind of complicated Lego castle. David looked up. “Ira, I thought I was helping you here, not making towers on my own.” Ira, face still red from his anger at Claire, mumbled to David, “I wanted to say hello to Alec.” “Uh-huh. But come help me now.” Obediently, Ira crouched down and his expression lightened as he focused on the activity. Then David lifted his gaze to Alec. “Hi there. Any good with Legos?” “Uh…” Not now. Alec’s hands still had a tremor he detested and he didn’t want the others to see it.


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David rose to shake hands, smiled when Claire announced that Alec was her special friend, and took himself back to the Legos and Ira. Another man walked over, dark haired, weirdly blue eyed. Like Gabriel. Alec suppressed a shudder. Introductions were again made. Veronica’s brother, Seth, was apparently very glad to meet Alec, who tried not to freak out. Instead, he reached for Liam’s hand, gripped hard, and found reassurance. “Hungry?” Liam asked. Alec nodded and they walked to the kitchen. Seth raised his eyebrows at their handholding, a reaction Alec didn’t have the energy to decipher. To say he felt out of his element would be an understatement. He gulped down breakfast, ignoring Liam who studied him. “Alec?” “Yep?” Crap. The panic was back. Because Liam was going to kick him out. He’d have to leave. Alec knew he’d have to leave. Which would be great, given that he was surrounded by fucking werewolves, but Christ, evil werewolves existed outside this house. Liam was miles better than Gabriel. Liam knelt beside Alec to rest a hand on his thigh, and Alec worked hard at not jumping. This seemed to be Liam’s new modus operandi, positioning himself to rest lower than Alec. Perhaps it was a werewolf thing. “It’s safe here,” Liam assured him. “David has a gun and knows how to use it. And Seth, he’s a beta”—beta? Was that versus alpha?—“but he actually knows how to fight. He’s been there before and he’ll kill when he has to.” Alec found himself blinking, not knowing why Liam was saying this. “Kill who?” “Gabriel and Luke. They’ll want you, Claire and Ira back.” Liam paused, his golden eyes darkening for a moment. “And me, too, for that matter. Even if I left them ten years ago, I was with them the longest. We’re staying together until this is over. So we’re all safe.”

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Despite finding it difficult to look into Liam’s eyes again, Alec nodded agreement. There was something of shame in him, for being shackled, for being rescued. And he felt so exhausted. He gave up trying to sound casual, as if his question didn’t matter to him. The words came out tight and tense. Pathetic. “I don’t have to leave your house now?” “No.” A line formed between Liam’s eyebrows. “You stay with me.” The worst of Alec’s jitteriness subsided. Gabriel would be kept at bay for the time being. What Alec’s relationship with Liam was, he’d have to figure out later. Hopefully not pet. He couldn’t get that fucking word out of his head. Alec had always taken such pride in his independence, from the day he’d been on his own. And now look at him, needing Liam and scared he’d be kicked out of the house again. “I’m tired.” As if that explained his turmoil. “That’s understandable.” Alec snorted, then glanced down to see Liam’s bewildered frown. But Alec just couldn’t say anything more. Fortunately, Ira chose that moment to trot up, book in hand, and Liam pushed up to standing while he regarded his younger brother with some exasperation. “I’ve told you, Ira, that Alec isn’t feeling well. He can’t read to you right now.” Ira’s chin lifted to tilt at an angle. “I thought Alec would like to read this,” he informed his brother stiffly. Alec glanced down to see the first Harry Potter book. “Thank you, Ira.” He took it and placed it on the table. “Alec was my special friend first.” This was said with some belligerence. Liam sighed. “Well, you’re a good friend, Ira. Thoughtful.” Alec’s praise brought Ira’s chin down a notch. Liam placed hands on his brother’s shoulders. “Ira. This is not a competition. Alec can be friends with you and Claire both, all right?”


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Ira gnawed on the knuckle of his thumb while he considered this rather dubious possibility. “Now, off you go.” Liam pushed Ira towards the door. “That was thoughtful of you to bring Alec a book.” Dragging his feet, Ira left. With a rueful expression, Liam turned to Alec. “I’m sure I could find the humor in Ira’s jealousy if I weren’t stressed about the quad. As it is, Ira’s so insecure I have to keep a certain distance from Claire so he doesn’t have a meltdown. Fortunately, Veronica and Claire are bonding. And Seth and David are paying a lot of attention to both kids.” “Good. Claire was a sweetheart.” He didn’t say out loud, when I was in the shed. “I want her to be okay.” Liam smiled. “Thanks to you, she may be.” “Trey was bringing her to you.” At that, Liam cocked his head in question. “Claire told me that Trey was bringing her to someone who knows how to raise werewolf kids and she would have a brother. I assumed he was talking about you and Ira.” Mouth slightly open, Liam just stared. “Wow. A compliment from Trey.” Alec frowned. “But I thought he was one of the good guys.” “Oh, he is,” Liam said immediately, as if he was parroting some party line. “I don’t always get along with him, that’s all. But he helped me save Ira.” “Where is he now?” “That is the million-dollar question.” Alec rather thought there were a number of other big questions, but felt too overwhelmed to ask them. Instead, he spent the rest of the day hanging out with the kids who vied for his attention when they weren’t engrossed by David’s Lego action or Seth’s card tricks. No adult seemed particularly happy during this dutiful play. They were waiting to hear from Trey, and if they didn’t soon, they would make a move without him. The specifics of said move, Alec intended to discuss later when he was alone with Liam.

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Because he preferred that the other—adult—werewolves ignore him, even if he listened carefully to their quiet conversations when he could. He’d come to the conclusion that these wolves were not the same as “the quad”, but he found it hard to feel at ease after being at the mercy of Gabriel’s intense focus, after being marked and petted. Those memories made Alec want to creep around in the shadows of this house. If he could have found shadows. Today the sun shone brightly. After supper, Alec withdrew to the corner of the living room and toyed with the idea of going back to the bedroom. It had been a long day out here in the company of wolves. Problem was, he craved Liam’s company right now. A compulsion he didn’t quite understand and yet could not ignore. He supposed his days in the shed, Claire notwithstanding, had felt terrifyingly alone. Even his year on his own since being marked by Gabriel had been isolating. And his years since his parents had booted him out on the street had been difficult, with no one to count on but himself. So now that he was counting on Liam, Alec felt nervous, fretful. Alec looked up to find Seth’s unsettling gaze on him. Those blue eyes so like Gabriel’s, weird and intense, though Seth’s eyes were admittedly softer, warmer. More human. Even if Seth was not human. Seth’s mouth quirked up and he turned to Liam, murmuring, “I guess he’s yours, huh?” Alec wasn’t supposed to hear that. Perhaps Seth thought him deaf? Seth-with-theeyes-of-an-angel then clapped Liam on the back in congratulations and walked off. As the panic attacked again, Alec felt like he was going to barf. Across the room, as if aware something was wrong, Liam frowned at Alec. Then Claire broke Ira’s Lego, Ira hit her and Claire wailed. “Ira,” Liam snapped and pulled him away, a little roughly, which caused Ira to burst into tears. David and Veronica both stepped in and Alec disappeared upstairs. His heart was racing. Liam had said he was safe. But was he also something else? This idea of being a pet, he couldn’t get it out of his head, couldn’t get Gabriel and his petting sessions out of his


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mind. Did he, Alec, somehow belong to Liam? What the fuck had Seth-with-Gabriel’seyes meant with I guess he’s yours and that indulgent smile? Alec didn’t think he deserved this. Life wasn’t fair and all that. But he couldn’t exactly roll with the punches here. He had to get out. Half the time he was terrified Liam would kick him out and the other half he longed to escape. He scrubbed his face, trying to calm down. He didn’t cry. Wasn’t his thing, but if it was, he’d be weeping now. “Alec?” He flinched, then tried to go very still. Which was stupid, given Liam’s incredible sense of smell. Jesus. He was cracking. “I’m going to turn on the light, okay?” Fucking basket case. He’d always thought of himself as mentally strong before this year, this week. Liam crouched down beside him and Alec clenched his fists. “I’m yours?” he gritted out. “I am not yours.”

“Okay.” Liam just wanted to agree with everything Alec said, if that would calm him down, though it hurt a little to go along with this statement. Alec’s terror was back. Liam touched his shoulder—why was Alec cowering in the corner?—and Alec’s gaze, wild and angry, as if caged, met Liam’s. Alec pushed forward, barreling into Liam, knocking him flat on his back and Liam inwardly groaned. Not again. Liam went limp, not understanding why, apart from last night when Alec had clung to him, Alec had to start every physical encounter with this aggression. “Fight back,” Alec demanded. “No.” “Don’t just let me win. I’m not stupid. I know you’re stronger.” It was impossible for Liam to fight back. Not with the fear wafting off Alec.

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“Fight.” Alec was ripping off Liam’s pants. “You’re an alpha. Isn’t that what Veronica said today?” Liam grunted. Alec had sat silently and still, listening to all sorts of conversations while Liam wondered what Alec made of their talk. Well, here was the first hint. “Alphas fight, no?” Alec pushed down on Liam’s shoulders. “Not necessarily.” I don’t. Not always. “We’ll see then, just what alphas can do.” Whatever. Whatever Alec wanted. If he needed control, he had it. Liam even helped Alec by kicking off his pants while Alec unzipped himself. When Alec raised Liam’s legs and positioned himself for entry, Liam simply braced himself. This was going to be one raw encounter. Then Alec stopped, withdrew his hands, and Liam’s feet hit the floor. Alec slumped against a leg, forehead on Liam’s knee. He rose on elbows to see that Alec had closed his eyes. “Ten years ago?” Alec murmured. “When you were fourteen? That’s when you were with the quad?” “Yes,” Liam admitted, trying to remember when he had told Alec what. “Who fucked you?” Ah. Alec was putting two and two together, in terms of Liam’s history. “Gabriel?” Alec lifted his head and sat back, yet kept contact by wrapping hands around Liam’s calves. “No. A wolf named John. He’s dead. Trey killed him last year.” “Good.” Liam pushed up to sitting and brought a palm to Alec’s rough cheek. He didn’t flinch, to Liam’s vast relief. He threaded fingers through Alec’s silky black hair and forced their gazes to meet. Alec’s eyes shimmered. “What is going on, Alec?” “I am not your pet.” The declaration vibrated with intensity. “Absolutely not.”


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“Then why did Seth say I’m yours?” You’re my mate. But it was too soon for such a declaration and Liam fudged. “You’re my lover.” Slowly, he fell back, bringing Alec with him. Alec offered some resistance, but not enough to prevent their embrace. Liam anchored his hand on Alec’s nape, gripping tight to that hair. He brought Alec’s lips to his and though Alec didn’t open his mouth, his lips softened while Alec’s cock hardened against Liam’s thigh. Liam nipped Alec’s lower lip, then licked it. On Alec’s sigh, Liam swept his tongue inside to meet Alec’s, trying to convey love in the way he knew best. The tears stopped him. With that, Liam sat up and cradled Alec, who shuddered, wiping his face angrily, as if embarrassed. Liam had to assume Alec didn’t like to reveal too much of himself to anyone, or show his vulnerability. With his caresses, Liam tried to convey that it was okay, it was safe, that Liam wanted to be there when Alec broke down. Then Liam carried him to the bed. He gently stripped his lover, who shivered but did not protest. Liam grabbed oil, turned Alec over and ran a hand down Alec’s spine. Alec took some time to relax into the massage, while Liam worked the muscles, rubbing oil into skin. He was fascinated by the smooth geography of Alec’s back, by the bone and tendon and muscle that responded to his touch. When the fear no longer predominated, Liam moved lower, massaging butt cheeks. He traced Alec’s crack, up and down, with one oiled finger, and Alec groaned. “You’re mine, okay? But, Alec, I’m yours. None of this bullshit about pets.” “You’re mine, eh?” There was disbelief, but also testing, as if Alec wanted to know how that statement sounded. Liam swept his finger downward again, then inserted it without preamble. Alec grunted, but didn’t resist. “I love you.” Lifting his upper body up on his hands, Alec whipped his head back. “What?” It was too soon and Liam’s expression was sheepish, he knew. But he kept working Alec’s hole—finding his pleasure spot—and Alec’s wide-eyed expression of disbelief fuzzed over with passion.

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“I won’t say it again, if you don’t want,” offered Liam. Turning forward, Alec faced the wall. “Just don’t say it now.” Liam withdrew and flipped Alec over. “I’m going to fuck you without a condom.” Alec shook his head. “Because we werewolves, we don’t get disease.” He lifted Alec’s knees and pressed his cock against Alec’s hole. “Do you believe me?” “I—God!” Liam crested the ring of muscle so the head of his cock was in. Alec was surprisingly open to him. He lifted Alec’s knees higher to get better access. Pushed deeper. Alec’s eyes rolled back in his head. Liam filled him to the hilt and Alec was restless now, adapting to the invasion. Liam stopped moving, leaned forward and kissed Alec. Slow and thorough, lapping and nipping. “Do you believe me?” “Believe?” Alec repeated, bewildered. Liam loved how Alec responded to him, how he became so wholly absorbed by their lovemaking that he couldn’t think. “I don’t get disease.” Liam withdrew slowly, then pushed in again. “Christ. I don’t know.” “It’s true.” He thrust again and Alec gave a sob of emotion. “I wouldn’t fuck bareback if it weren’t true. I care too much about you.” Alec thrashed his head and said, “Too much,” and Liam didn’t know if that was an echo, or if Alec was feeling too much. Again Liam pushed in and rested there, though he longed to move. “I should slow down?” “No.” “I love your mouth, Alec.” “Huh?” Stroking one heated cheek, Liam murmured, “So beautiful.”


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Alec snorted in disbelief. “You’re the beauty, golden boy.” Liam gave a faint smile. “Do you believe anything I say?” Pushing down against him, Alec urged him to move. “Right now, I don’t care.” “I care.” Alec pushed again. “I’m clean, okay? Always will be.” Liam could see Alec didn’t entirely believe him, but was overwhelmed. Next time they made love Liam was not going to overwhelm. He swore it. “Also, I’m falling in love with you.” Hard. “Don’t say it,” Alec begged. “Why not?” he asked softly, trembling with the effort not to move. “I just…can’t be disappointed right now. There’s been too much.” Alec emphasized the words, as if there was a wealth of meaning behind them and Liam should understand. “Okay. I won’t say it again. But I wanted to explain—” “I want you to move, Liam. Don’t make me beg.” Liam smiled. Kissed Alec without really moving. He touched Alec’s two brown nipples and Alec groaned loudly, coming, spurting between them and jerking slightly with the effort. Finally Liam moved. He’d waited because he was too hard to last, but he’d wanted their connection. He waited until Alec was spent and then Liam came, too, filling Alec who trembled beneath him. Shaking, he gathered Alec up and, thank God, Alec clung, making these incredible sounds in his throat. To Liam they were sounds of love. When they both quieted, Alec pulled back to meet Liam’s gaze. Liam brushed fingers over Alec’s damp brow. “You need to stop attacking me every time you want to make love.” Alec flushed. “I can’t help it. You scare me.” “Have I always scared you?” “You don’t scare me now.” “This is after.” “I know,” said Alec, his expression wry.

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Liam swallowed once, then blurted, “You’re my mate, you know.” So much for keeping quiet on the matter. “Mate?” Alec bit his lip and Liam had to kiss him. When they stopped, Alec said, “As in…friend?” “No. We werewolves mate for life. You’re mine. I’m yours. That’s what Seth meant.” “Oh.” Alec’s eyes were wide, dark and beautiful. And unreadable. “Sorry. Werewolves are always happy to congratulate others about their mates. They tend to get a bit maudlin. That’s why Seth kept smiling about it.” He was babbling. Liam didn’t know how Alec was taking this latest in a long list of developments. A distant look on his face, Alec traced Liam’s collarbone. While Liam wasn’t sure what Alec made of this explanation, the light touch of his finger seemed promising. They still remain connected, though soon Liam would slip out. “How can you mate a non-werewolf?” Now Alec traced the matching collarbone. Liam nuzzled Alec’s neck. “Very easily.” “Nothing about this is easy.” “Nothing? Once you stop wanting to beat me up—” “I do not want to beat you up.” “—it seems very easy indeed.” Liam kissed Alec again, long and deep, so his lover went boneless in that way Liam loved. “We’ll figure this out as we go.” Alec turned his head to the side. “You sound very sure of that.” Of course. I can’t bear to lose you. But Liam knew he’d said enough and he kept quiet.


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Chapter Twelve They showered together before they slept, tangled in that way Liam adored. This time Alec woke first and began nibbling the tendon where Liam’s shoulder and neck connected. Liam stretched in encouragement. He considered this a vast improvement over a furious Alec pushing him around. Alec stopped and Liam opened his eyes to see a too-thoughtful expression on his mate’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me so much was at stake?” “Uh, when?” Liam stalled. “When you insisted on looking at my scar.” Liam’s gaze fell on the teeth marks. “Would you have believed I was a werewolf?” Alec shrugged. “I was in denial, but since I’d actually encountered four of you last year, yeah.” “And would you have believed I intended you no harm?” Alec sighed. “Perhaps not.” “I feared you’d take off and they would chase you and I wouldn’t be able to help you at all. Now, as it happens”—Liam grimaced—“I didn’t protect you. They were already back and I didn’t know it.” Alec withdrew to the edge of the bed. “How would you know?” Propping himself up on his elbow, Liam hoped to coax Alec back to his side. But Ira rattled the locked door, which made morning lovemaking out of the question. Alec and Liam exchanged a glance, got dressed and let Ira in. Claire quickly followed, to Ira’s evident disgust, and they all trooped down for breakfast. No one was cooking, so everyone ate cereal and toast. “Where’s Trey?” Claire asked with her mouth full. “He said he was coming. I miss him.” 138


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“We’re waiting for him,” Liam said slowly, not wanting to share his worries about Trey’s long absence with the kids. “Veronica says you have to go looking.” Liam wasn’t quite sure what Claire referred to, but Alec murmured, “Who goes looking?” Liam had meant to fill Alec in on some of their plans yesterday, but somehow the night had gotten away from him. “Or,” continued Alec, “is it a secret not meant for children or pets?” “No,” ground out Liam, irritated. Surely they had put that to rest. “I knew,” declared Ira helpfully. Alec raised his eyebrows. “Did you now?” If there hadn’t been a certain shakiness in his question, Liam would have been aggravated. He had to remember that Alec’s entry into this world of werewolves had been abrupt and brutal. Lover or no, mate or no, he was still finding his footing. “I don’t like pets.” Claire spoke with real sorrow. “I don’t like them at all.” Alec’s tension wafted off him. Then David and Veronica were in the kitchen, joined by Seth, and Alec slipped out of the crowd and into the backyard. In a few minutes Liam followed. “You really shouldn’t come out here by yourself.” Alec eyed him and shivered. There was a bite to the air. “Besides, it’s cold.” In reply, Alec grunted. Liam touched Alec’s hand so he’d look at him, and returned to the conversation at the breakfast table. “You’re not my pet.” He waited for Alec to acknowledge this truth. “You know that.” Alec didn’t react, causing Liam to feel alarmed. “Alec?” Alec responded to something in Liam’s voice and dropped his head, a kind of nod, but also an act of a submission, which was not what Liam was looking for. He wanted Alec to believe, not agree in order to get along.


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“There’s also no secret,” Liam continued, “that we have to go looking. You heard that yesterday. I meant to talk about it more last night but…well, you know.” “I wasn’t always paying attention to yesterday’s different conversations and tête-àtêtes. In fact, I’ve been a bit distracted.” Alec pulled in a breath. “Anyway, are you looking for Trey or the quad? I didn’t quite follow. Mostly I gather that werewolves are very hard to kill.” “There are ways.” Someone was going to have to put a bullet in Gabriel’s head. Liam hoped it was him. “Yeah. I heard that. Blow the brains out and the werewolf can’t shift and heal himself before he’s dead. Got it.” Alec gave his head a sharp shake. “I’m just not used to this.” Wrapping a hand around Alec’s nape, Liam brought their foreheads together. “It won’t always be like this. This will pass. Gabriel will die. I’ll call Casey back once it’s safe here again, and we can live here happily.” Alec pulled away and laughed, but there wasn’t humor there. “It’s too much, Liam. Let’s just take it one hour at a time, okay?” “Right.” It was stupid to feel hurt by Alec’s comment. “So. We’re looking for Gabriel and Luke, not Trey. He’ll find us when he’s ready.” Alec’s dark eyes shuttered. “You have to go on this search?” “Yes. I’m a good tracker. Better than Seth.” “When do you leave?” Alec’s knuckles whitened as he clenched the rail. That Alec didn’t want him to leave was gratifying, but his fear wasn’t. “David and Seth will be here,” Liam offered. “Oh, that’s great.” Alec pushed off from the rail. “I don’t exactly know them, Liam. But whatever.” Liam paused. “Alec.” “What?” “I should tell you that Trey is Gabriel’s half-brother.”

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Alec’s face went blank and he spoke carefully. “Does that mean Gabriel is Veronica and Seth’s father or something?” “Nope. Trey’s sister was their mother.” Alec gazed up at the cloud and Liam had to concentrate to hear what he said. “Just wish I’d never met Gabriel.” Y That afternoon the sun broke through the clouds and, with two restless kids, Seth decided they needed fresh air. So they trooped outside to play soccer in the backyard. Claire was new to the game, and to rules in general. Ira rolled his eyes during Seth’s explanations to the little girl, which earned the boy a sharp rebuke from Seth. A tense David didn’t join in. Instead, he sat on the deck and watched over them, his gun at hand. They had about fifteen successful minutes of playing. Alec was just beginning to think it was going quite well when Ira accidentally-on-purpose hit Claire in the face and her nose began to bleed. She was all prepared to shift and heal, but Seth convinced her to stay human and let him take care of it. “Not impressed,” Seth told Ira shortly, though not with a lot of heat, and Ira started to cry. Seth took Claire in to clean her up while Ira, eyes downcast, stayed close to Alec. They wandered towards the back of the yard, out of David’s hearing range because Alec wanted to talk to Ira privately. “You know,” began Alec, and the boy looked at him with hope. Alec wasn’t quite sure what the hope was about. “She deserved it, didn’t she? She was acting stupid.” Ah, so Ira thought Alec would sympathize with Ira and his dislike of Claire. Time to put an end to that idea. “No, Ira.” “I don’t like her.” “You’ve made that clear.” “Liam doesn’t like her, either.” www.samhainpublishing.com

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Hmmm. “He likes me.” “Liam can like you and Claire, bud.” Ira adopted a rather pugnacious expression, chin jutting out, face set hard. “You shouldn’t use tears, Ira.” “Use tears?” the boy repeated, even as he wiped a wet eye. “Do you like it when someone is cross with you?” Ira’s lip trembled a little. “No.” “What if you’ve done something wrong? Should Liam—or Seth—not care enough to teach you what is right?” Ira chewed his lip. “Some adults don’t care enough to teach at all. But, don’t use tears and crying to avoid being taught. Don’t use tears to make Liam worry about you when he’s teaching you.” Alec paused, unsure if this was pitched at an appropriate level. Reading to eightyear-olds and explaining life’s lessons to them were somewhat different activities. “Am I making any sense to you?” For a long time, Ira just stared, but he was no longer crying. He gave one slow, thoughtful nod. “Good. Liam loves you and wants you to know right from wrong. And it’s wrong to hurt Claire.” Here Alec stumbled and he had to clear his throat before he went forward to talk about Gabriel. “The quad hurt her. Like they hurt you.” “I’ll be nicer to Claire, I promise,” Ira whispered. His face reddened. “Please, don’t tell Liam I hurt her on purpose.” “I have to, Ira. But, I’ll also tell him about our talk and that you won’t do it again. Okay?” Ira’s eyes widened and his gaze shifted beyond Alec. He turned to see what Ira was looking at, and froze at the sight of a wolf. Gabriel.

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Alec could literally feel the blood drain from his face. He refused to faint. “Ira,” he choked out. “Run. Run to the house.” He forced himself to step in front of the boy, though every muscle in his body strained to flee. Maybe David would shoot before the wolf attacked. But no gun fired and Ira, perplexed by Alec’s reaction, asked, “Why run, Alec? It’s Trey.” Ira jumped up and down, arms going in some kind of exuberant semaphore-action in case he hadn’t been noticed by the wolf. “Hi, Trey,” he shouted. Instead of responding, the wolf turned its large head away and trotted into the woods behind Liam’s house. This didn’t dampen Ira’s excitement, but Alec felt a kind of stunned reprieve and he lost sense of time. “Alec?” It took a moment for him to realize someone was repeating his name. When Seth—where had he come from?—lightly touched his shoulder, Alec flinched. “You look sick again,” Ira declared, and reached for Alec’s hand, to hold it and pat it. When Alec looked down, Ira’s forehead was puckered in concern. “Did something happen?” asked Seth. Ira’s face brightened. “We saw Trey!” “Are you sure, Ira?” Seth demanded. “Yes,” he said a little indignantly. “Alec saw him, too.” Ira craned his neck back and addressed David, who was ambling towards them. “You saw him, David, right?” David nodded. “Looked like Trey. Acted like Trey. Veronica will be so relieved.” Seth turned his overly blue gaze on Alec. It was not unlike Gabriel’s gaze, but he’d never seen concern in the other’s face. Alec swallowed. “I thought it was Gabriel.” Seth nodded. “The brothers do look alike.” “Why don’t Liam and I look more alike?” piped up Ira. “We’re brothers, too.” “You each take after your fathers,” Seth explained. “I want to look like Liam.” “You, Ira, are a very handsome wolf.” Seth ruffled Ira’s curly hair and turned the conversation back to Trey. “Where was he? I don’t smell him.”


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Ira pointed. Trey, Alec reminded himself, was a good guy. Apparently. “Downwind, of course.” Seth crossed his arms. “Well, we’ll wait. He’s not too slow at shifting.” It didn’t take all that long before a large, naked man emerged from the copse of trees. Seth just grinned. Then he waved, a rather jaunty gesture. “He’ll never wave back,” he informed Alec. Evidently this was reason to speak fondly about the stranger striding towards them. Wishing Liam were home, Alec tried not to cringe. Y At first glance, Trey had struck Alec as wild eyed and wild haired. But he cleaned up to a rather stone-faced man with a closed expression who maybe softened at the pleasure Veronica took in seeing him. He was polite, if distant, with the kids, who hung back in some kind of awe. Alec had expected Claire’s “friend” to be a little affectionate, not aloof. When he pointed this out to Liam later, he said quite matter-of-factly that Trey needed to eat and sleep, and the kids understood that. Trey slept for two days. If the sex hadn’t been so good, Alec would have gone nuts, stuck in a house full of werewolves. The tension was thick and it wasn’t just because of him and his nightmares. Everyone was affected, including his golden boy. Alec decided to work on Liam’s personal tension. This thing between them was strong and sexual, but not always comfortable. Being overwhelmed by Liam and his desire was amazingly freeing in its way, but Alec sometimes wanted to know what was going on in Liam’s head. They’d showered and now sat on the bed, sated. Feeling in an experimental mood, Alec rose onto his knees and pushed Liam’s shoulders until he lay down on his back. Liam reached for him, but Alec eluded his grasp. “Stay there,” he ordered. 144


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Liam appeared taken aback, but tried to hide it. “What are you doing?” “You can quite clearly observe what I am doing.” Alec raised Liam’s now stiff arm and stroked lightly under the freshly washed armpit. Soap and the clean smell of Liam made him smile. “You’re not too hairy for a werewolf.” “We vary,” Liam answered cautiously. Alec placed Liam’s hand above his head, then ran a palm along his biceps. The scrutiny obviously discomfited Liam. “You don’t let me spend much time on you, Liam. Why?” Alec traced a few ribs before lightly brushing the erect pink nipple. “I like spending time on you more.” Alec paused in his actions. “So this is unwelcome?” “Not exactly.” Liam’s voice sounded thick and it wasn’t just desire. The effort to stay still wasn’t easy or comfortable. Alec thought back to other times when he’d attempted any kind of control, usually when he was incredibly angry, and Liam had either been stiff, or limp—which was so much worse. “You said you didn’t want me to fight you.” As Alec stroked Liam’s stomach, he observed his lover’s cock beginning to harden in response. “Why not? Don’t you alphas like to fight?” “Not with our mates.” That word gave Alec pause. “Sorry, I forget you don’t like me to say it.” “There’s just too much I don’t understand.” Alec backed up from Liam, who looked visibly relieved until Alec settled himself between Liam’s legs and leaned his arms on Liam’s knees. He ran palms up and down Liam’s thighs. “You’re so muscular, without being bulky. It’s quite amazing.” Liam’s face was heating up. “Alec?” “Yeah, babe?” Liam closed his eyes, perhaps at the endearment, perhaps at the touch, though Alec kept his hands on his lover’s legs. When in charge, Liam was entirely uninhibited. But at


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other times there was caution and resistance in him. How much was Liam’s nature and how much was his history, Alec didn’t know—not that these two things could always be separated. Leaning a cheek against Liam’s knee, Alec asked, “What were you going to say?” “I know I’m not fair to you. In bed.” His voice was very low. Gruff. Alec kept his expression neutral. “You’re not?” Liam was a very intense lover, but also careful, and sensitive. “It’s because I’m alpha. I want to always be in charge.” Alec let his doubt show. Liam sighed. “You don’t know what I’m talking about.” “Perhaps that’s it.” Alec placed a palm on Liam’s hipbone, and Liam tensed while he tried to hide his reaction from Alec. “What are you worried I’ll do?” “I’m not worried. I know I can trust you. I’m just not…” Alec waited. “I’m not good at talking.” Liam pushed up on his elbows. “No, no, no. Lie back down.” Liam hesitated, breathing too hard, but Alec didn’t look away, and Liam lay back down and spoke to the ceiling. “This is because you’re alpha, too.” “Ah. I didn’t know that.” Alec had the odd feeling Liam thought this was some kind of compliment, but he couldn’t care less what letter of the Greek alphabet he was deemed to be. “I thought I was just used to give and take.” Liam slanted him a look. “You say alpha as if it’s an explanation.” Alec brought a fingertip to the head of Liam’s cock. “Does that explain why you’re dripping?” “I’m attracted to you, Alec.” “Well, that’s certainly good to hear.” He took Liam in hand. “You rarely let me hold you. Why?” While Alec stroked him, Liam exhaled noisily. But when Alec cupped his sac, he saw a tear escape from Liam’s eye and decided he’d pushed the golden boy far enough.

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Perhaps they would have time later for more. But now, Alec reached for Liam’s arms and pulled him up, then caught his face between his palms. His golden gaze revealed nothing and everything. “You’ve seen me at my worst, Liam. This is not so bad, surely.” “The initiation was a bit rougher than I’ve perhaps let on,” Liam admitted with some reluctance. Initiation. When Liam first had sex. With some adult named John. Who was dead. “Not that it was traumatic.” Liam was always so eager to explain that there had been nothing wrong there. “Just that he had control. They knew my nature.” “Alpha,” Alec supplied, beginning to hate this word. “But I was too young, they said, to act on it. I needed to be taught.” The edge in Liam’s voice was unmistakable. At Alec’s look of confusion, Liam added, “Taught to submit. Gabriel used to take me to this grove of trees and beat the shit out of me, too. That hurt worse, truth be told, and I dreaded it more. Stereotypical alpha behavior.” “I call that stereotypical abuse.” Liam shrugged. “It’s over. I’ve just had a control thing since then, but”—here, Liam looked uncharacteristically shy—“that was nice.” “That” had been hardly anything, but Alec let it go and brought Liam in for a kiss. It was more tender than passionate, the conversation having rather dulled their sexual appetites. “You said I was alpha. Yet I spent a week shackled in a shed. Is that also stereotypical alpha behavior?” “Alec. You had no choice. Besides, you outsmarted Gabriel. You got Claire out. That will have ticked him off.” “Oh, good. I ticked him off. I feel completely avenged.” Liam’s eyes went flat. “There will be more to our revenge than that.”


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Chapter Thirteen At lunch the following day, Alec noticed Trey watching him. He tried not to feel paranoid about any of the wolves he was currently living with, but that blue gaze, cold like Gabriel’s, set his nerves on edge. “Is there something you wanted to say to me?” Alec demanded. Trey finished chewing his mouthful. While Liam ate a lot, Trey’s intake was truly astounding. Apparently, he’d barely eaten the past two weeks. His large frame did look gaunt. “So you thought I was Gabriel?” Trey inquired, tone mild. Heat flushed through Alec’s face as he wondered if Trey was taunting him for his fear. Which, no doubt, the wolf could easily smell, no matter that Alec tried to hide it. He had to swallow before he said, “You look like him.” “We’re similar,” Trey agreed. “Quite admirable.” And he gave a sharp nod. Admirably similar? Alec tried to decipher what game Trey was playing, except his manner suggested he was playing nothing at all. At a loss, Alec looked around but Liam was attending to some concern of Ira’s. “Pardon me?” Alec asked Trey. “He admires what you did,” Veronica translated. Here, Liam turned back to the conversation. “Trey’s been mostly wolf this past year and has forgotten how to make conversation.” Trey looked at him darkly. “Good to see your fighting spirit, pup.” “What, exactly, is admirable?” put in Alec. “You stepped between Ira and me,” Trey informed him. “Not that it would have been any use if I’d meant you harm.” Alec shrugged irritably. It wasn’t admirable to be useless, he knew that much. Liam squeezed his arm.

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“Well, since you’re Liam’s mate…” Trey trailed off as Alec stiffened. He didn’t like discussing this with Liam, let alone others. It was like being told he was married when he’d never made it to the wedding. “Was there an announcement I missed, then?” Alec asked. “No.” Trey continued to chew. “You’re marked.” Alec blanched. “Yes, I am. I have a fucking bite from your brother to show for it. But that was before I actually met Liam.” Trey glanced at Liam with something Alec thought was reproof. “Have you explained nothing to him?” He turned back to Alec. “You’re marked by Liam’s scent.” Once again, Alec felt himself turning red and he could just imagine the mottled color of his face. It was ridiculous, what this conversation was doing to his composure. He wanted to get out of here. Trey went on, seemingly oblivious. Though no, Trey—this was just so great, a real bonus to living with wolves—would smell Alec’s emotions. Fantastic. “The quad used the term ‘marked’ with you, I’m sure. But they stole the word and distorted something of beauty, as is their wont. Originally, a mark, among werewolves, is a mate’s mark.” “You know, Trey,” interrupted Veronica, “I think Alec’s had enough.” “Okay,” said Trey, strangely affable. He shot a look at Liam, who glowered over his plate. “Hey, Veronica marks David, too. We just don’t usually comment on it.” “For good reason,” noted Seth. “It’s considered rude. What the fuck is wrong with you?” So, Alec wasn’t the only one made uncomfortable by the conversation. That was semi-reassuring. Trey’s affable expression disappeared. “I’ve been in my head too long and now I have to hunt and kill my baby brother.” Veronica jerked a nod towards Claire and Ira who were listening, wide eyed. “I think they know, Vee, better than anyone else, given their recent history.” Trey pushed away from the table. “I’ve lost my appetite.” He strode off.


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Seth and Veronica exchanged worried looks, then she followed Trey out. “So.” David gave a heavy sigh. “Who wants to pull out the train set?” “Me!” exclaimed Claire who had developed a fascination for the toy. “Ira?” “Okay,” he answered David ungraciously. Alec, Liam and Seth cleaned up the kitchen. Y As they got ready for bed that night, Alec tried not to think about tomorrow, when Liam would leave him again. He tried not to think about his stupid dependency and this “mate” shit, too, but it was difficult. Everything was difficult these days. “What’s your problem with Trey?” Alec asked. Liam glared, which actually did something quite delicious to that golden gaze of his. Then he looked down at his hands and flexed them. Lowering one’s gaze signified some kind of acquiescence to a werewolf, Alec knew. But Alec wasn’t a werewolf and he didn’t trust the gesture. “It’s just complicated,” Liam said finally. “You think I won’t understand, then?” “Are you trying to annoy me?” Alec threw Liam a tight smile. “Trey Walters is Veronica and Seth’s uncle.” “That’s not too complicated, Liam. I think my little non-wolf brain can grasp the relationship. In fact, I already knew that, but no doubt you felt I needed a refresher course. So, uncle, right?” Liam’s gaze intensified, the annoyance sliding into something else, and Alec thought he might melt. Instead he closed his eyes, and Liam’s breath was against his ear. “You don’t have to goad me into fucking you.” Alec cupped Liam’s sac and then before he knew it, he was against the wall, both arms pinned up above his head while Liam kissed him, hard and punishing, making 150


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everything flee, his fear, his doubts, his skepticism. All that was left was Liam and the fire in his blood. He no longer tried to control the whimpers that spoke of his need and he didn’t know where the lube came from, but Liam’s dick was at his hole, asking for entry and Alec shuddered as he opened to the golden fire. Alec gave himself up to making love to Liam, who caught him when he came, who came himself, shuddering, heart pounding. It was only after Liam pulled out and carried him to bed that Alec admitted, whispering into Liam’s ear, “I don’t want you to go tomorrow.” Liam forked a hand into Alec’s hair, holding him close. “Is that what you were trying to tell me earlier when you picked a fight?” Alec just shook his head, though not in denial. He didn’t want to discuss his declaration. And Liam knew, for he didn’t speak. But he caressed and kissed while Alec clung and, at some point, they both slipped into oblivion. They woke in the middle of the night. A while later Liam was gasping to catch his breath and he said, sounding quite confused, “The sex just keeps getting better and better.” Since Alec wanted to see his golden lover, he turned on the light. Liam looked sated and well loved, which made Alec grin at him. “Well, yeah. We get to understand exactly what the other likes. Sex usually improves on acquaintance, haven’t you found? At least until it’s time to break it off.” Liam seemed a little uncertain. “What?” Crawling onto Alec, Liam buried his face in Alec’s neck. “Haven’t been with anyone like this before,” he muttered against Alec’s skin. “You mean hanging out with eight people in one house figuring out how to kill psychopathic werewolves?” Liam retreated, his face slightly red, his expression tense. “No.”


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Alec felt guilty. “Okay, babe, I know what you meant. Come here.” He traced Liam’s check before pulling him back into his embrace. “I understand I’m ‘marked’ as your mate, but I’d rather return to a normal life before we figure out whatever the fuck that means.” “I know what it means.” “It means you can fuck me to your heart’s content.” Liam drew circles on Alec’s chest. “You can fuck me, too, Alec. I’ve told you.” “You have told me. Verbal permission isn’t quite enough.” Apparently unable to look Alec in the eye, Liam traced Alec’s ribs. But his brow was furrowed, as if confused. “You stiffen, Liam, if I make any kind of move in that direction.” “Still,” Liam insisted, as if it were a matter of principle. Alec caught Liam’s hand so his lover would look at him. “And why is that? Because I’m your mate?” He hesitated. “Yes.” “So, it’s my duty or something?” Scrubbing his face, Liam let out a weary sigh. “You said you were a top before we met.” “Well, I gotta wonder, given the last couple of weeks…” Liam growled. “That is because you’re my mate.” “Ah. Fated, were we?” Liam refused to rise to the bait. “It just may be.” For the first time, Alec saw Liam smirk. It was rather cute. “You’re fated to fuck me.” “I’m going to remember that.” He stroked Liam’s beautiful cheek one more time. “Problem is, Lee, I don’t believe in fate.” “That’s okay, Al,” Liam said sleepily and sank down beside him. Alec had to laugh. Then he ran his palms lightly over Liam’s arms and back, because Liam loved touch when he was on top. And the better Liam slept, the better shape he’d be in tomorrow when he went hunting quad.

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Alec switched off the light and lay most of the night staring at the ceiling. But he took comfort in Liam’s heartbeat, his scent and his steady breathing. Y The next morning, their closeness seemed to evaporate as the tension overtook them all. Certainly the ability to relax fled Alec during breakfast. Little was said as everyone knew about today’s scouting expedition. Alec was not the only one worried about Liam, and Trey. After a light meal, Liam stood in the kitchen, ready to undress and shift to wolf. He turned to Alec who held himself rigid. He didn’t want this kiss goodbye. He didn’t even want an embrace. He’d never been one for public affection and changing that now would make Liam’s departure even more significant, more dangerous. Maybe that was stupid thinking but as Liam stared and Alec felt his gaze bore into him, he refused to meet it. Finally, Liam let out a small breath and touched Alec’s face. Despite himself, Alec leaned into the palm and Liam smiled, as if satisfied, and said, “Okay.” Then he went to Ira, giving his brother a big hug and whispering reassurance while Ira hugged him back. Liam and Trey stripped and walked out the back door. Alec couldn’t get used to his lover walking naked among these people, let alone shifting to wolf and hunting bad wolves. He scrubbed his face. “It’s just a scouting mission.” Alec looked down to see Ira’s solemn brown eyes regarding him with a troubled expression. Ira opened his arms, awkwardly, but with determination. If it had been Claire, she would have wanted to be picked up, but Ira was bigger and more reserved. So Alec leaned down and Ira hugged him, then pulled away. “That was from Liam,” Ira explained. “He said you needed it.” His expression became a little sly, even smug. “I knew Liam would like you.” Alec scratched his jaw. “You did, huh?” www.samhainpublishing.com

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Ira nodded. “Because you liked me and we’re brothers.” Well, Alec wasn’t going to argue with that logic. Ira tugged his arm and they followed the others out of the kitchen and into the living room. Back to entertaining kids and trying to ignore the rising tension of their situation. Seth paced a fair bit. Veronica and David decided to clean the house. Alec read to the kids until his throat was sore. The day dragged itself out. Alec pretended to nap. They dutifully ate supper, the kids more than the adults, Alec least of all, but then he wasn’t werewolf and had less energy to burn. Seth and Veronica put the kids to sleep while David and Alec sat in the living room ignoring each other. The only two normals, Alec thought wryly, though it didn’t particularly make him feel closer to—or farther away from—the other man. The question was obviously on everyone’s mind though no one asked it out loud: When would the scouting mission return? The doorbell rang, jolting them out of their respective reveries. Alec and David stared at each other before David picked up his gun. “I’m not interested in opening that door,” David observed. “Liam and Trey would be banging on the back door, not ringing the front.” “Let me just look through the peephole.” Alec walked quietly down the hall, leaving the light off so whoever stood on the porch wouldn’t see him. David followed and Alec heard the metal click to indicate the gun was cocked behind him, something he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. If David shot him, it would be an accident, he trusted him that much, but it wouldn’t be much comfort. Alec bent to look through the peephole and jerked back in surprise. “What?” demanded David, while Seth and Veronica appeared on the stairs. To make sure, Alec looked again. Yes, it was Sharon from the library, in shirtsleeves in near zero weather, looking absolutely miserable and freezing. “I know her,” he whispered. She rang the doorbell again, apparently oblivious to their presence.

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“She’s crying,” Alec stated tonelessly. “How well do you know her?” demanded David. “Some. I worked with her. She got me my job. I owed her for that.” At least until he’d lost the job with a little help from her big mouth. At David’s nudging, Alec moved back and David took a look, then sighed. “What the fuck is she doing here? Makes me suspicious.” Alec shrugged, but added, flatly, “We can’t just leave her out there.” David glanced at Veronica and Seth. “We can,” argued Veronica. “I’ll slip out and talk to her,” Alec suggested. “Liam would have my head,” said Seth. “And mine,” put in David. “No one is in charge here. This is my decision.” They were going to talk him out of it and while he wasn’t overly fond of Sharon at the moment, she obviously needed help. “Alec, wait.” Veronica moved quickly down the stairs. “Something doesn’t seem right.” Hand on the door’s bolt, Alec paused. “Let me go first,” offered Seth. “I am not a child,” snapped Alec. “And she was my co-worker. I won’t step outside, okay? We’ll just bring her in.” With that, he slid the bolt across. Veronica told David to cock the gun that was already cocked, and Alec opened the door while David assured her, “I’m ready.” “Sharon?” said Alec. She stood there on the doorstep, trembling and sniveling. In fact, she looked terrified, which made Alec more uneasy. Luke stepped out of the bushes with a feral grin. David moved forward and fired. Sharon screamed. Luke stumbled. The gun fired past Alec again, so he backed away from the line of fire. An iron hand grabbed Alec’s upper arm and yanked him over the


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threshold. A third and fourth shot rang out before a fist connected to Alec’s temple and the world turned black with pain.

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Chapter Fourteen Alec woke on the wet, cold ground, shivering. A hand returned to smack his face and this time he opened his eyes. “That’s my boy,” crooned Gabriel, now tapping his cheek lightly, and Alec thought, Christ, not again, wanting to crawl away. “I didn’t hit you that hard.” He let his eyes flutter shut, reaching for the blackness, but Gabriel grabbed both shoulders and shook him. The pain in his head made him wince. “Stay awake, or I might shoot off a finger, just for fun.” Alec ignored the threat. Gabriel jerked him to sitting. When Alec listed to the right, Gabriel slapped him hard across the cheek. The sting of flesh was nothing compared to the agony ringing in his head. He groaned. “Stay awake, I said.” “I’m trying,” Alec mumbled so Gabriel would stop shaking him. Though he shook on his own, trembling from the subzero night temperature. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Gabriel was naked and apparently warm—no shivering, no goose bumps. In fact, Gabriel appeared incredibly at ease in his skin. Alec almost had to remind himself that Gabriel could flip into a psycho-rage at any moment. “We’re waiting for Liam,” Gabriel explained as if that were obvious. “I need to talk to him in person.” He threw his cell at Alec. “Phone him.” Alec didn’t respond, or move. If it was the last thing he refused to do, he would not phone Liam, bring him here to some asshole who used to beat the crap out of him when he was a boy. Gabriel hit a button and the phone was dialing. He grabbed a chunk of Alec’s hair and slammed the thin cell against Alec’s ear. It rang and rang and an answering machine picked up. Gabriel shook Alec’s head so Alec couldn’t see straight. But he could think and when Gabriel hissed, “Speak!” Alec remained silent. www.samhainpublishing.com

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Suddenly, Gabriel let go of Alec and spoke himself. “If any of you have ears, you would have heard Alec breathing. So he’s alive. Liam. This is for you. Meet me at the circle. It is certainly time you were disciplined.” Gabriel grinned to himself. “I have instructions though. And if you don’t follow them exactly, your little friend here will have his throat ripped open.” Though he tried to keep the shakes at bay, Alec shuddered. He did not want to die at Gabriel’s hands. He wanted to beat Gabriel at his twisted game. He wanted to win. And he wanted to see Liam again. He was grateful they’d had last night and, right now, the only thing he regretted was not embracing Liam before he left this morning. “Do not bring anyone else,” continued Gabriel. “Especially my dear brother, Trey. Do not bring any weapons, especially a gun. Come unarmed and alone and it’s just possible I’ll let this mark live.” Gabriel hung up. “Do you think Liam will trade you for the kids?” “No.” “I fear you’re right.” “Even if he would, the others wouldn’t let him.” “Right again. I think I may have to give up on this idea of growing a pack. What do you think, Alec?” Alec hated the way Gabriel said his name. “Perhaps Liam won’t be interested in seeing you again and he’ll leave you with me. We could be a pack of two. But, hmmm, you’re not a wolf. I don’t know how to fix that.” Holding his head in his hand, Alec tried to steady the throbbing so he could speak clearly. “Why, exactly, do you want to talk to Liam?” “Oh, I don’t want to talk. I’m a man of action.” Alec lifted his face and tried to make out Gabriel’s expression in the darkness. It was hard to see. The moon was new, just a sliver of light, and the sky was not entirely clear. “Or do you not think I’m a man?” Huh? Alec realized Gabriel was peering at him. “Ah, Alec, if only we’d met differently. You honestly don’t seem to have the regular human contempt for werewolves.”

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“I have contempt for you.” Gabriel sneered. “You believe all those baby tales Liam told you.” “Baby tales?” “About his time with us. The quad.” “Liam won’t talk about it.” Or at least, not much. Gabriel regarded Alec for a moment. “Doesn’t matter. The quad is dead. Now Luke is dead.” Gabriel seemed oddly unaffected by the statement. Then again, Gabriel was a sociopath. “There is only me. I can’t make up a quad, can I? Not without some new recruits and you don’t count.” Alec didn’t know where Gabriel was going with this. In fact, Alec didn’t know much about anything. His head hurt too much and he wished he would pass out. “How long before Liam gets here, do you think?” Since Alec didn’t know where they were or how long he’d been unconscious, he really didn’t have a clue. He managed a shrug. “I’ll have to kill you, you know. Though only after I very slowly and carefully kill Liam. You see, it’s been a long time coming. Liam defied me when he should have obeyed me, too many times.” There was more of this gibberish and all Alec could think was that Liam had to stay away, far away. At least once Alec was dead his head would stop hurting. Once Gabriel stopped being chatty, he paced back and forth in front of Alec, who got dizzy watching Gabriel in motion. Alec closed his eyes and, without being aware of it, passed out. Y “What do you mean, he got Alec?” Liam felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest. “There were three of you here and you couldn’t protect him?” Veronica laid a hand on his arm. “Don’t touch me.” “Liam,” she warned. “Don’t crap out now.” www.samhainpublishing.com

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But he was trembling with rage. Naked, having just shifted from wolf, and too exhausted to return home to this news. “Luke’s dead,” she went on, cataloguing strange facts when Liam could only think of Alec being once again held by Gabriel while the rest of his pack was safe. “David shot him. It’s not as if we stood around doing nothing.” “Why would you open the fucking door?” “Alec did.” “You should have stopped him.” She gestured uselessly. “He recognized a woman on the doorstep. He believed she needed his help.” “Who?” “A Sharon. Worked with Alec.” Fuck. Liam remembered that woman. Had thought there was something odd, but had mostly thought she was too interested in his looks. “Where is she now?” “Having a breakdown in the den. Seth has been appointed her caretaker because neither David nor I have the patience to deal with one of Gabriel’s groupies. She got Alec fired, you know, on Gabriel’s say-so. Feels very guilty about it while she sobs out her story again and again. Also remembers you from ten years ago.” Liam didn’t remember her, but then again, he’d tried to steer clear of this subset of Gabriel’s victims, the ones who went after the quad for sex and then could not escape, because he could always find them. Gabriel had proved more than once that he liked the hunt. Was proving it now. Trey walked in, breathing hard, to say, “Catch me up.” Veronica did, since Liam could barely think. But when she finished, he turned to Trey. “We have to go after Gabriel.” Trey nodded. The phone rang. “It may be Gabriel calling back,” said Veronica quietly. “He left a message. He only wants you to come, Liam.” “How long has Alec been gone?” demanded Liam.

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“Almost two hours.” Liam grabbed the phone. “Hello?” “Where the fuck are you?” Gabriel. Liam’s breath stuttered out and he couldn’t speak. He hadn’t thought Gabriel would have this effect on him after so many years, even after successfully retrieving Ira from the quad. But once again he was a frightened fourteen-year-old, about to get beaten to a bloody pulp, to within an inch of his life, and left to shift and heal and lick his wounds. “I’m here,” he managed. “Let Alec go and you can take me.” “Okay.” Gabriel drawled out the word. “That sounds fair, Liam, my wayward pup. I’m in the circle. Meet me there. No one else, mind, or your human is dead. I can promise you that. Oh, and no weapon, or your human is dead.” Before Liam could respond, Gabriel hung up. Then Trey was in front of him, staring with those godawful blue eyes and Liam could finally admit to himself that the reason he disliked Trey so strongly, despite all that he’d done for Liam and Ira, was because Trey resembled Gabriel too closely for Liam’s comfort. “Where, Liam?” Trey’s words were quiet, subdued, utterly unlike his brother’s. “The circle.” Trey looked irritated. “The circle? What is that?” “Gabriel’s pet name for an area in the woods, a grove of trees. He used to ‘discipline’ me there.” Liam ran a hand over his face, pulling himself together. He didn’t like that Trey would smell his distress. “You can’t come. He’ll kill Alec if you do. This isn’t like last time when Gabriel wasn’t expecting you to extract Ira.” “I’ll stay downwind.” “No.” “Liam. Think. You need backup. You know I can stay undetected. You know that. I don’t take risks with people’s lives. I never do.” Liam stared into those blue eyes that were no longer cold, or not just cold. There was a flame there, and he wasn’t entirely sure what had lit it. “Why are you coming?”


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“It is time”—uncharacteristically Trey paused, though his expression gave nothing away—“to bury my brother.” Y Liam ran as wolf. He’d been wolf all day and the moon was new and thin, making him uncomfortable in his animal skin. He wanted to be human, he wanted to be in his house, with his mate and his brother. He wanted safety, not this darkness, not this fear. How many times had he approached the circle, until that last time when he chose to run rather than be ripped apart by Gabriel? It had been a big decision for a young werewolf who craved being part of a pack, who feared going lone wolf and crazy, but Gabriel and his ruthlessness and cruelty had driven Liam away. Never before had the stakes been so high. Then, Gabriel had always taken care not to damage Liam so severely he couldn’t heal. Though Liam had always feared Gabriel would misjudge, he had such a temper. But now Gabriel wanted blood. Whether he’d choose Alec’s blood or Liam’s, or—probably—both, Liam didn’t know. Veronica would take care of Ira, though it hurt to think Ira would suffer another loss. Liam knew how attached Ira was to him. It also hurt to think of Alec dying, ripped apart and unable to heal. Skidding to a stop, Liam threw back his head, letting the howl of rage flow through him and out, letting his fury rend the air. Gabriel could take that as a challenge, Liam didn’t care. It wouldn’t hurt any, because Gabriel liked challenges, chose to focus on them, and perhaps that would take Alec out of the limelight. Gabriel didn’t answer, no doubt because he was human, and Liam loped the last halfmile determined to save Alec, and then himself, determined to survive despite the way his insides quaked in fear. He shoved the fear aside, he carried enough anger to cover the weaker emotion, and trotted between the trees to find his mate in the small clearing. With his enemy. As soon as Liam came to a stop, Gabriel hauled up a half-conscious Alec and held a knife to his stomach. Gabriel always did like going for the belly. 162


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“Liam. You came back to me.” Liam bristled in response. He’d considered shifting to human, but talking to Gabriel had always been an exercise in futility. There was no way to connect to the psychopath, there was no logic, only hate and scheming and an overwhelming desire to win. Alec shook his head slightly, as if trying to become more aware of his surroundings. His eyes blinked open and Liam could smell his pain and his anger. Surprisingly little fear. Gabriel pressed the blade against Alec’s thin shirt and Alec flinched in pain. “Whoops. Well, a little bit of blood won’t hurt you. It was only a scratch. However, I am curious to see what his intestines look like. Aren’t you, Liam?” Alec began to shake in Gabriel’s awful embrace. Liam stepped forward and Gabriel said, “Stop. You come closer and you will see his gut.” Liam stayed where he was. “What do I want from you? That’s your question, Liam, right? Stop snarling for a moment—do you have no control?—and I’ll tell you. I want you to put your belly to the ground. Now.” Liam lowered himself, though he could not stop his lip from curling back and his throat from growling. His mate was in danger and he was enraged. The bloodlust was building and if he didn’t watch it, he would attack to protect Alec despite the fact that by the time he reached Gabriel, Alec would be dead, his life’s blood seeping into the ground. “Good, good,” Gabriel crooned. He’d never understood just how crazy he sounded when he spoke like that. “Now, Liam, roll over.” “No, Liam!” cried Alec, while Gabriel shook him and yelled, “Shut up. I talk, not you. Don’t you remember my instructions? Keep your fucking mouth closed.” Gabriel moved, so one hand pushed up Alec’s chin while the other now held the knife at Alec’s throat. “I am in charge here.” “I can tell,” said Alec. His tone, amazingly, was dry, even if there was a tremor in his voice. “You need a knife or shackle or an unconscious man to be in charge.”


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Gabriel shook Alec hard, all the while careful to keep the knife’s point close to Alec. Liam was watching for the opportunity to leap and save Alec, and Gabriel didn’t intend to give it to him. “You think you’re a man?” Gabriel asked Alec, annoyed and wanting to toy with him. “Why yes, I do.” “Maybe I should cut off your dick.” “And that makes you a man?” Liam could smell the rage rolling off Gabriel who, with a trembling hand, sliced the skin along Alec’s jawline making his victim grunt in pain. “Do you like that? I can carve you up in front of Liam here and enjoy doing it. Did you know I used to bring Liam here when he was a teenager?” Alec’s voice was thick now, with shock and anger. “It takes a big man to beat the shit out of a skinny teenaged boy. Well done. You must have been awfully proud of yourself.” Alec winced, a high, painful sound escaping, as Gabriel sliced his cheek. “Keep that up and you’ll lose an eye.” “Oh, I want to lose an eye, Gabriel. You make the most generous offers.” And Liam, slow on the uptake, frozen by bloodlust and fear and fury, and worst of all indecision, realized then that Alec was trying to distract Gabriel from Liam, was trying to sacrifice himself for Liam, goading Gabriel into killing him. “Be the big bully, Gabriel, blind me. People will think you’re so brave.” As he lost focus, Gabriel let loose a furious growl, and opened a window of opportunity by lifting the knife away from Alec before it plunged into Alec’s eye. Liam leapt, using all his strength, all his energy for this one, final, necessary act. Before the knife reached Alec, Gabriel’s survival instincts kicked in and he was turning towards Liam, trying to save himself rather than killing Alec. Gabriel had always wanted to save himself. But it was too late. Liam ignored the knife entering him as his jaws reached for Gabriel’s throat and ripped the skin and cartilage open to taste the blood of his former alpha.

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Sinking to the ground on top of his prey, Liam drank in Gabriel, drinking in the awful, terrible blood that might also save him. Because Gabriel had aimed for the heart, and he hadn’t missed.


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Chapter Fifteen Alec dropped to his knees and sank his fingers into Liam’s bloody white fur. “Liam? Liam.” The fur seemed to be moving, retreating. Alec looked at the wolf’s head. That, too, was changing shape, shifting. He withdrew his hands, fearing they might somehow impede the shift. He recalled enough to know that shifting aided healing, though this knife in Liam’s chest and the blood seeping out of the wound alarmed Alec. He wiped blood out of his eyes. Too much blood. He took his gaze off the forming and reforming body. Liam had said he shifted quickly and Alec hoped it was the case. Alec glanced over at Gabriel and, to his horror, he saw the same process beginning, in the opposite direction. The man’s torn throat was closing, his clothes were ripping and dark fur had begun to grow on skin. Alec hugged himself. He didn’t want to pull the knife out of Liam’s body and cause more damage. He didn’t even know if he could stab Gabriel and then stab him again, while the werewolf kept trying to heal himself. Pulling in a long, shaky breath, Alec looked skyward. “Liam,” he pleaded. “Tell me what to do.” “Leave him be and he should be all right.” Alec jerked to standing and almost fell over. Trey, who had seemed to materialize out of nowhere, reached out to steady him while Alec stared, caught in his mesmerizing gaze. It took him a moment to realize Trey held a gun in the other hand, though it was not pointed at him. Trey aimed for Gabriel. “It is time for Gabriel to leave us.” Trey sounded oddly formal as he cocked the gun. But he didn’t pull the trigger. Instead, the large man’s hand began to shake and Alec remembered that Gabriel was his younger brother. “Can you do it?” asked Alec, stepping forward. It had to be done. 166


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“There’s not much time. Gabriel knows there’s not much time. He’s fighting now, to shift and run and then plot his revenge yet again.” Trey paused. “I can’t allow it, brother.” While Alec didn’t want to sound insensitive, he was terrified of that scenario. “That didn’t answer my question.” “I have to, and I always do what I have to.” No inflection. “When I left home, I should have taken Gabriel with me, but I was twelve and he was two. I always thought I would save him later. I was wrong. The only thing I can do is bury him.” “I can pull the trigger,” offered Alec. Slowly, Trey brought his gaze to meet Alec’s. “It should be me.” “No. You should bury him.” Alec reached over with both hands, watching how Trey would react, because he was worried about this “not much time” aspect. Trey rather easily relinquished the gun. “Have you shot before?” “Uh, no.” Alec’s hands were shaking, too, but he badly wanted to pull this trigger. “Okay.” Trey coached him on technique. “Use both hands then,” he finished up. “Put it right against his temple, though you’ll get his blood on you.” “I already have blood on me.” Alec placed the gun’s muzzle on the top of Gabriel’s wolf’s head and pulled in a deep, steadying breath. He feared Gabriel would move, or make noise and he thought a whine would be much worse than a growl. “He’ll regain consciousness soon,” Trey said quietly, regretfully. It was time. Alec squeezed the trigger. He didn’t remember a lot after that. Blood seemed to be everywhere. His, Liam’s, Gabriel’s. He’d wanted to carry Liam, felt possessive about it even, but hadn’t been able to take more than a few stumbling steps before Trey lifted Liam out of his arms. “He needs to be warm because he’s injured,” Trey explained, “so let me get him to my car.”


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Liam’s needs, not Alec’s, had to take priority. He trailed Trey to the car, which seemed parked far away—apparently, this had guaranteed that Gabriel would not detect Trey’s presence. He placed Liam in the backseat, handed Alec the keys and gave him directions to Liam’s house. Alec didn’t bother to tell Trey he couldn’t drive. He’d had four driver’s ed lessons before that terrible fight with his parents, and fortunately Trey’s car was automatic, no gears to shift. Hunched over the steering wheel, which he held in a death grip, he somehow maneuvered it onto the road and, in time, back to Liam’s driveway. He could barely manage to turn off the engine, his hands were shaking from having clenched the steering wheel. Veronica ran out of the house first. “Where’s Trey?” she demanded, even while she was finding Liam’s pulse, checking his wound. Alec remembered Trey leaning down into his car, capturing Alec’s gaze. “I want to thank you for that. It was kind of you.” Kind? Alec had thought, dumbfounded. “Just tell them I had to go.” “Gone,” said Alec to Veronica. “Trey is gone.” Then Seth was in his face, but somehow, with Gabriel dead, that blue gaze didn’t bother Alec quite as much and he found he needed a little help getting out of the car. After which he promptly puked. It was Veronica who cleaned up his face, which was still bleeding from Gabriel’s knife play. She had to do it in Liam’s bedroom, so Alec could watch Liam who was pale, but breathing, despite the recent wound-scar in his chest above his heart. Why, you’ll have matching scars when this is all over. Alec winced at that odd thought. He was getting punchy. “His heartbeat is regular. That means he’ll be okay,” Veronica reassured him. “When will he wake up?” “A day or so, though we’ll rouse him to drink, whether he wants to be roused or not. He’s lost a lot of blood, but right now he needs rest more than liquid.” She stopped and assessed Alec’s cheek and jaw. “I’ve done what I can for you, but you need stitches. I’m calling in a nurse I trust.”

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Alec didn’t have the energy to argue. Within the hour, he’d been sewn up by some nice woman who didn’t ask questions. Then, finally clean of blood, he crawled into bed beside Liam. His lover’s body temperature was colder than usual, and Alec used what he could of his own body heat to warm Liam under the feather duvet. He didn’t think he would sleep but the night proved him wrong. Y Alec woke to Liam clutching him, making sounds of terror, eyes open, but not really registering what he saw, if he saw. “Liam, it’s okay.” Liam gasped, as if he couldn’t breathe, and Alec got frightened. “Liam.” Something shifted in Liam’s eyes and he recognized Alec. “Oh my God. Oh my God.” He struggled against Alec who held him down, scared he was going to hurt what had so recently healed. “Please, Liam, stay quiet.” He stroked the sweat-drenched golden hair off Liam’s forehead. From being too cold, Liam had definitely heated up. A good thing, he supposed, as long as it wasn’t a fever. “Alec,” Liam gritted out between his teeth, as if making a huge effort. “I’m here, babe.” “What the fuck were you doing?” Alec blinked, not quite sure what Liam was referring to, though he seemed furious in his exhausted way. “Uh, when, exactly?” “When you were baiting Gabriel. Into killing you.” Liam’s heart was racing and Alec could feel it. “Shhh, we made it.” “You idiot. He was going to kill you.” “He didn’t, did he?” “Why?” “Because you got to him first.” Perhaps Liam didn’t remember the night clearly. www.samhainpublishing.com

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“No. Why would you bait him like that?” Liam asked, clearly distressed by Alec’s actions. The why of it was pretty obvious, Alec thought, but he answered, trying to calm Liam. “I didn’t want him to kill you.” “I heal. You don’t.” Liam could barely get the words out and he was gasping again. “Hush, babe.” Alec stroked Liam’s forehead. “He planned to kill you. He told me. I was to watch,” Alec said quietly. “I couldn’t do that.” Here, he touched Liam’s cheek. “Besides, Ira needs you. And, after he killed you, he would have just killed me anyway. He told me that, too.” Alec took a deep breath. “So it was better if I went first and you had a fighting chance.” Liam’s face crumpled. “Hey. Shhh. It’s over.” Alec stroked and nuzzled Liam who gasped and wept noisily. “Can’t. Lose. You.” “I’m here. I’m here.” Alec held Liam till he quieted. Then he forced him to drink. When Liam was done, he slumped against Alec, drained of all energy. “Don’t you ever do that again,” he murmured against Alec’s chest. Alec feathered fingers through Liam’s hair. “I can’t. Gabriel’s dead.” Liam just grunted, falling asleep then and there. So Alec lay him down, and rested beside him. Later that day, Ira came in to see his brother sleeping. There was color in Liam’s face now. “He just looks like he’s napping,” Ira declared, his too-bright eyes belying his anxiety. “He’s woken twice to drink,” Alec told him, “and Veronica says tomorrow, he should feel much more normal.” Ira frowned at Alec, who realized the boy was staring at the stitches on his face. “These will heal, too.” He touched his jaw and cheek a little selfconsciously. “You heal slowly,” Ira observed. “Slower than you,” Alec agreed. “Now, scoot. Veronica has supper waiting for you.”

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“Why do you get to eat with Liam?” “Well…” Alec didn’t want to explain how Liam startled awake in fear and Alec needed to be there to calm him. “Because you’re his mate?” Ira suggested. “Uh…” “You can get married, you know, if that would make you feel better,” Ira said earnestly, as if that legitimacy might put Alec more at ease. Alec couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, bud. You know, I’m not leaving Liam’s side, because he’s someone I care about, okay? He’s important to me.” “Okay.” Ira concentrated, as if he was thinking hard about what Alec had just said. “You’re not leaving, right?” “I’m not leaving.” Ira smiled. “Good. Liam will like that.” He added shyly, “So will I.” Alec winked, Ira’s smile widened and they parted ways. Turning back, Alec went to stare down at Liam, who looked peaceful for the moment. Are you my mate? he wanted to ask, though he didn’t entirely know what it meant. All Alec did know is he felt more strongly for Liam than he’d felt for anyone else. More protective, too. But he’d give this relationship a couple of months at least before he nailed it down with a name. Liam stirred and Alec knelt beside the bed. One golden eye popped open. “I heard that,” he said sleepily. “Mates don’t like to leave each other’s side.” “Good to know.” Alec traced the naked collarbone that appeared above the duvet. “Truth is, I think I’m in love with you.” Liam’s second eye opened and they stared at each other. “I’ve never told anyone that before.” It was a huge thing for Alec to say. Liam just reached for Alec and he crawled into bed, into his lover’s embrace. “Stay with me,” Liam muttered before he fell back to sleep. “I’m with you, all right,” Alec answered and Liam’s face relaxed into dream.


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About the Author Joely Skye is an introvert, a Spooks (MI5) fan, a wife and a mother. One of her favorite books ever is Ellen Kushner’s Swordspoint and, while she doesn’t watch much TV, she couldn’t resist Queer as Folk. She writes male/male romance. Don’t ask her why. Men fascinate her, as does romance, so gay romance is the perfect fit. To learn more about Joely Skye, please visit www.joelyskye.com/. Send an email to Joely at [email protected] or join her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Joely. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/joelyskye/ She also writes as Jorrie Spencer (www.jorriespencer.com)

Look for these titles Now Available Monster Zombie Minder Marked

The time has come for Kir to use his powers to destroy the agency and bring Josh back to safety.

Minder © 2006 Joely Skye Third book of the Minders series. Josh goes to ground after being given the compulsion to kill his lover. But the agency ensures Josh is not the only threat to Kir’s life. Last summer, Kir arrived home to blood and death. Josh was gone. All Kir has left is his belief Josh is still alive. Until the agency entraps Kir and suddenly Josh is back in his life. But Josh is not the same man who disappeared almost a year ago… Josh knows how to kill. Kir, a Minder, can bend people to his will. They will each have to act to keep the other safe, no matter the cost. Due to the serial nature of these stories, the author recommends reading the series in order. Warning, this title contains explicit male/male sex.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Minder:

Early morning, before the sun rose, Josh woke disoriented. No longer in his one-man tent, he’d somehow ended up naked in a luxurious bed. He felt safe, if confused. Then his heart stuttered awake to see why. He’d slept with Kir, his beloved. Josh had named him thus last winter, though he couldn’t yet say it aloud. When they’d fallen asleep, Kir had been relaxed, but now there was tension in his back and he was curled up on the other side of the bed. With a pang, Josh wondered when Kir had slept with someone he wanted to be with. Apart from Josh that one time. Josh rolled out of bed and explored the washroom. Yes, Trey had supplies. Josh opened the box of condoms and while there wasn’t lube, there was oil.

He turned off the bathroom light and padded back into the bedroom, letting his eyes adjust to the gray darkness, listening to Kir breathe. Kir jumped in his sleep. If Kir had been sleeping peacefully, Josh would have let him be. He placed the oil and condom on the side table and climbed back into bed, crawling over to Kir’s side and looking down at him. He wanted to protect Kir from his past, an impossibility. They could only move forward. He laid his hand on Kir’s shoulder, very little pressure, and Kir jerked awake. “Hey,” Josh murmured. “It’s okay.” “Josh?” Kir tried to turn, but Josh kept pressure on his shoulder. “Lie on your stomach. Look away from me.” “Um, okay.” Kir sounded confused, unsure. He paused for a moment, then rested his head on the back of his hands, facing away. Josh could feel the tension in his body. During their few weeks together last summer, they’d made love frequently. Too often, when foreplay began, Kir had been overanxious to please and only relaxed when Josh gave orders. Josh didn’t know if Kir had simply been worried about Josh and his sensitivity to touch, or if making love—at least its opening movements—stressed Kir. Josh leaned over Kir, brushed his hair back from his face and kissed the salty corner of Kir’s eye. “Dreaming?” Josh asked. “I guess.” “Bad dream?” “I don’t remember.” Josh stroked Kir’s upper arm and kissed his cheek. “You’ve been working out. Your muscles make me hot.” He kissed the corner of Kir’s mouth. “As does your mouth. Well, everything about you.” Kir snorted in surprise. He always reacted to compliments as if they were embarrassing bolts out of the blue. “You know I like everything about you, right?” Kir’s lips parted. “I’m glad,” he declared with such feeling that Josh’s chest squeezed tight.

“Did you know?” Kir gave a short shake of his head. “Do you want me to touch you?” asked Josh. “Yes.” “Good, because I’ve been dying to touch you for months. It hurt to think of you.” Josh bit Kir’s neck lightly and Kir gasped. “Did you ever think of me?” “All the time.” Josh smiled. He stroked under Kir’s arm while he licked the skin he’d nipped. “You taste like salt and Kir. Perfect. I remembered your taste, you know. I dreamed of it sometimes.” A tear leaked out of Kir’s eye. He had always been emotional, as Josh had learned during their weeks together. He came back to catch the salty tear on his tongue, then laved Kir’s eye shut. “You worry too much, just when you’re not supposed to,” said Josh. “I’m sorry.” “I don’t want you to be sorry. I want you to want me.” “I want you, Josh.” “I want to fuck you. Okay?” “Yes.” “You should check that I have condoms. God knows what Brad carried around with him.” “I know you have condoms.” Josh laughed, stroking Kir’s back, the shoulder blades, the muscles beneath skin, the dusting of dark hair. “You’re right, but you didn’t know. You just like to say yes, because I’m going to fuck your brains out.” Kir raised his ass in invitation. Josh palmed Kir’s cheeks appreciatively, then stroked his legs before spreading them farther apart. “Stay like that, okay?” “Okay,” said Kir thickly. Josh smiled. “I love your voice.” “My voice?”

“So sexy.” Kir didn’t answer. Josh reached under to find Kir’s cock hard and dripping. “Have you slowed down any?” asked Josh. “I don’t know.” Kir sounded bewildered by all this talk. He always came quickly, at least with Josh, and Josh didn’t know if that was a personal quirk or anxiety or youth. Though Kir, no longer the boy of twenty-two he’d first met, was twenty-five to Josh’s thirty-one. “If you don’t know, Kir, who does?” Josh held Kir’s cock, gently squeezing it, running his fingertips over Kir’s slick head. Kir became even harder. “You,” Kir managed. “Remember sometimes we’d come together?” Kir rested on his elbows now. “I don’t know if I can wait, Josh,” he pleaded. “What do you want?” Kir didn’t answer, though he was noisily inarticulate as Josh stroked Kir’s length in a rhythm that would bring release. “I’ll tell you what I want,” said Josh and Kir groaned. “Exactly that.” Kir came, pumping into Josh’s hand, shuddering while Josh palmed Kir’s back with his clean hand. “At least, that’s what I wanted first. Now, don’t move.” Josh collected Kir’s cum. Kir stayed still, shivering a little, ass raised, elbows braced, pleasure noises coming from his throat. Josh couldn’t remember anyone enjoying his attentions as much as Kir did. Josh slathered Kir’s cum up and down Kir’s crack, then reached for the condom and rolled it up his length. “Are you relaxed?” Josh touched the tip of his cock to Kir’s perfect hole. “Please.” “Oh, I want it, babe, you don’t have to ask.” Josh pushed in and Kir welcomed him, muscles relaxing to take him, throat humming, yes. “You amaze me, Kir. You just let me in. No resistance. As if we belong together.” Josh rested there, savoring the heat and the feel of Kir, filling Kir to the hilt. “Are you comfortable?” “Josh.” Not an answer, but it sounded good.

Instead of moving, Josh stroked Kir’s legs and lightly touched his balls and the seam down their middle. “Josh.” Not a plea, just a statement. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

A brother’s vow. A lover’s promise. Both could put them all at deadly risk.

With Caution © 2007 J.L. Langley Remington Lassiter is trying his best to stay out of trouble while he learns the ropes of being a werewolf. When his little brother turns up covered in bruises, he is driven to finally bring their abusive father to justice. To do it, he must face a past he hides behind his cocky, trouble-making attitude. A past so dark it haunts him only in dreams. Jake Romero, a crack private investigator with a bad-boy biker image, realizes he has his work cut out for him when Remi asks for his help. From the first moment he turned Remi into a werewolf in order to save his life, Jake has been fighting to keep his inner demons at bay. He’s torn between the desire to tell Remi they are destined to be mates, and the need to first let Remi get used to the werewolf life. Jake will do anything to protect Remi and help him break the cycle of abuse he has endured all his life, but his investigation is about to uncover something far more sinister and deadly than they ever imagined. A past that could put all their lives at risk. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, violence, hot nekkid man-love.

Enjoy the following excerpt for With Caution:

“If you want my help, you have it, but I need to know what’s going on.” Remi glanced up, his eyes solemn. “I don’t even know if I can afford to pay you.” Jake started shaking his head as soon as the word afford left Remi’s lips. “I’m not worried about it. You’re my”—mate—“my friend. If you feel like you have to pay me, we can work something out. I’m not agreeing to help you for money. I keep getting the hint that you think Sterling is in danger of being hurt by someone and I want to help if I can.” Not to mention that helping—protecting—his mate was his job and made him feel good.

“Okay.” Taking a sip of his beer, Remi pulled his other foot onto the couch, bending it in front of him and resting his arm on it. He watched the beer bottle dangling between his fingers for a few moments and nodded, like he’d made up his mind. “It’s Dirk. He’s never hurt Sterling before. This is the first time, but…” “But it probably won’t be the last,” Jake finished for him. Fuck. Even Remi called him Dirk. The guy was a piece of work. What kind of man didn’t want his own kids calling him dad? “Well, that was my experience when I lived there, but I’ve always kept him from hurting Sterling. He pretty much ignores Sterling as long as Sterling stays out of his hair and I continue to live my life by his rules.” Shaking his head, Remi snorted. “I’ve done that. I don’t even hang around my fag best friend anymore.” The venom in Remi’s voice said the word fag wasn’t his, but his father’s. “Well, not where he would find out about it anyway. I still go to Chay and Keaton’s, I just hide my bike. Pretty fucking pathetic, huh?” He took a long swig of beer, finishing it in one shot. He set it on the table and rested both his hands on his knees. He appeared far away, lost. “Simon and Bobby came with me to pick up Sterling one day and he kicked them out of the house. He told them to never come back because they’re still friends with Chay. So I pretty much steer clear of them too.” Jake had the urge to pull Remi into his lap and assure him it’d be okay, but instead he sat and listened. His heart ached for Remi. Given what he’d learned throughout the day, it shouldn’t come as such a shock the amount of control Remi’s father had over his life, but it did. And it pissed Jake off to no end. The idea of someone threatening his mate didn’t sit well with him. Remi’s eyes were watery, the scent of tears heavy in the air, but he didn’t cry. He laughed, almost evilly. “The son of a bitch even told me what I was going to do for a living. One night over dinner he said, ‘You need to fill out this application to the fire department, I already told the fire chief to be looking for it.’ He threw the application at me and asked Sterling, ‘What do you think about Remi being a fireman?’ I don’t know if it was a threat or not, but I didn’t even argue. Besides, Sterling seemed to think it was cool. Of course, most six-year-olds do, huh? They all want to be firemen, policemen or

astronauts…or a sports star. At that age, I wanted to be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.” “Ah, that explains your jersey number in high school. Roger Staubach, huh?” Remi grinned. “Yeah.” “You were damn good. You probably could have been the Cowboy’s quarterback, well a NFL quarterback at least. Tell me truthfully, how many colleges offered you football scholarships?” “Only two. The scouts were watching other players, not me.” Jake didn’t ask why Remi didn’t take them up on it or seek out a scholarship to a school of his choice, when it meant he could’ve escaped his father. He didn’t need to. Jake came to the sudden realization that Remi’s sexual orientation and getting him to accept being Jake’s mate, were not the only obstacles in the way. He needed to help Remi find a way to protect and care for Sterling while getting the threat of Remi’s abusive father out of their lives. Setting his beer on the table, Jake moved a bit closer to Remi. “What about your mother? Is she still around?” “Since I moved out, it seems like he beats Mom more. Sterling says it’s because she makes sure Dirk doesn’t go after him.” The tears Remi had been holding back dripped down his cheek. Turning his head toward the TV, which was now a blue screen, he rested his cheek on his knee. “She’s a lost cause. I’ve tried. I’ve tried so damn hard. She won’t leave. Says she loves him and he needs her. At first I thought she was scared, but now…” He dashed the tears away with his hand. “Now, I think he means more to her than we do. Sterling and I have always depended on each other. That’s how it’s been since he was born. If it weren’t for Sterling…” Remi raised his head, tears no longer on his cheeks, but his eyes were brimming with them. “I’d have never gotten out of there alive if not for Sterling. Now, I need to get him out too before something terrible happens.” Jake swallowed the lump in his throat at what Remi implied. The thought of Remi not being around twisted Jake’s insides in knots. Already, he saw a man he admired, even if Remi weren’t his mate. The fact that he was made him that much more special.

Remi shook his head, and the tears ran down his cheeks. “I don’t know why she didn’t love us enough to leave. How could she choose him over her own kids? How can—? I should have taken him and run away a long time ago. This is my fault, I failed Sterl—” “Shh. No, you didn’t. Looks to me like you’re doing a damn good job of looking out for your little brother.” Jake touched his cheek, half expecting Remi to pull away. He didn’t. Running his hand over Remi’s face, Jake brushed away the tears. From day one, Remi’s smaller size made Jake want to protect him, but now the feelings were even stronger. “It isn’t your fault, Remi.” Remi leaned forward. His eyes shifted to wolf eyes as his head cocked. Finally, he closed his eyes. Fuck, if that wasn’t a turn-on Jake didn’t know what was. His own eyes changed, drawing a groan from him. Blood rushed south, right to his cock. Wrapping his hand around the back of Remi’s neck, Jake tugged him forward. The smell of arousal pierced his nose before his lips covered Remi’s. Jake didn’t mess around. He caught his mate’s chin in his other hand and pulled down as his tongue swooped into Remi’s mouth. Opening for him, Remi followed Jake’s lead. His tongue slid along Jake’s as his hands found their way to Jake’s shoulders. Jake ran his tongue over Remi’s teeth, feeling the extended canines, and his own reciprocated. He’d never lost control over his body—his eyes and teeth—like he did with Remi around. It was both frustrating and fascinating at the same time. He wanted Remi writhing beneath him, wanting to please Jake as much as Jake wanted to please him. His need to take over was so intense he was nearly shaking with it. He barely managed to suppress his more aggressive tendencies. Given Remi’s past, Jake didn’t want Remi feeling trapped. They ended up with Jake lying on the couch and Remi on top of him. Remi’s hard cock pressed into Jake’s hip and his dark hair fanned around them, concealing their faces.

Grabbing two handfuls of his mate’s ass, Jake pressed against him, making sure Remi had no doubts that he was hard too. Remi moaned and thrust his hips. He turned his head, breaking their kiss and exposing his neck as he nuzzled his face against Jake’s shoulder. Oh fuck. Jake’s cock jerked, his hips bucking. The submissive action was almost his undoing. Turning Remi’s head further, he brushed his hair back and licked a long line over the slim column of his throat. Remi’s pulse thundered beneath his tongue, attesting to his arousal just as strongly as the erection pressed against Jake’s. Dragging one fang down Remi’s neck, Jake fought the urge to bite. He wanted to pin Remi still with his teeth and fuck him until neither of them could move. He didn’t dare. Remi shivered, spreading his legs, allowing Jake more access, and pressed his neck into Jake’s teeth. Oh fuck. It was too much. How could Jake resist such a sweet offer?

Love? Or duty? His choice will damn his country—or his heart.

For Love and Country © 2008 Mary Winter Vampire Basile Gagnon wants nothing more than to put the United States, its war, and the heartbreak he found on its shores far behind him. He has suffered the loss of one too many mortal lovers, and refuses to risk his heart again, not even for Emil, the mortal he turned away five years ago. When Union soldier Emil Franks steps aboard Basile’s ship, his mission is to try to convince Basile to lend his vessel to the Union cause. But with one look at his former lover, he reveals far more—his lingering love for Basile. Neither time nor the fires of war have dimmed their passion for each other, but not even the fact that Emil is now a vampire can sway Basile from his course. In two days’ time, he leaves for his native France. On this war-torn Valentine’s Day, Emil must choose: Love? Or country? Warning, this title contains the following: graphic language, and hot nekkid manlove.

Enjoy the following excerpt for For Love and Country:

Curling his fingers over Emil’s shoulders, he shoved him against the wall. Before Emil could protest, Basile slanted his lips across his, hard and urgent. His tongue thrust into Emil’s mouth and struck the point of one fang. Blood welled from the tiny wound. Emil moaned, his throat working to try and swallow Basile’s crimson essence. He really was a vampire. Control fled along with Basile’s anger. Spearing his fingers into the man’s short hair, he marveled at once again feeling the silky strands against his hand. With lips and tongue he devoured Emil’s mouth. He stroked each of Emil’s fangs with his tongue, up and down as if they were miniature cocks. For so long, Basile had cut himself off from the

man he’d loved because he feared the inevitable pain of his lover’s death. Now, with Emil a vampire, his greatest dreams could come true. Except he still intended to leave for France in a couple of days. Getting out of the states before the war grew any more violent seemed like a prudent move. Emil wanted him to support the Union blockade. He wanted Basile to get his ship, his property, directly involved in the heinous battle. Basile fought for control. Blood pounded in his veins, hardened his cock like one of the masts of his ship, and demanded he take this man over and over again in an attempt to make up for lost time. Emil flattened his palm on Basile’s chest. His fingers fumbled as he opened Basile’s shirt. A button flew off, pinging against the wall. Reaching into the opening, Emil traced the contours of Basile’s pectorals. He flattened his hands over the nipples, clenching and releasing like the paws of a purring cat. With his fingertips, he teased Basile’s nipples, drawing them into tiny, hard points. Basile feared he wouldn’t last. Their tongues tangled. The sweet feel of Emil’s skin brought back so many sweet memories that Basile soon had Emil bared to the waist. His caresses found pathways across flesh both old and new. Several scars on Emil’s chest testified to his near-fatal wound, a battlefield somewhere, Basile guessed, not wanting to think about a mortal Emil putting himself into harm’s way. His hands curved around Emil’s waist. The arrow of hair leading to his cock promised a trail of sensual delights Basile ached to explore. Dropping his fingers to the waistband of Emil’s trousers, he unfastened them and shoved them down his hips. Even standing there with his pants pooled around his ankles, Emil was a handsome man. A smattering of light brown curls covered his chest, growing thicker between his pectorals and in a line bisecting his abdomen. Veins roped around his cock, the head flushed purple. Just looking at it made Basile’s mouth water, and he couldn’t wait to have the American beneath him, begging for release. He tore his lips away. Hell! What was he thinking? Shaking his head, he moved back. “No. I don’t feel a thing,” he lied. If his heart still beat it would have beat a mile a minute. As it was his hands shook, his entire body tingled, and his cock pounded with the need to spill itself into Emil’s waiting, and Basile knew, all-too-willing body. “I think

that proves it. I’m sorry, Emil. Goodbye.” He spoke quickly, wanting to get the words out there and just leave. With his departure set and the wheels in place to get him home as soon as possible, he didn’t want to think about resuming his relationship with Emil. He wanted to, but being tied to the United States right now wasn’t a smart move. Not by a long shot. Emil laughed. His slack-jawed grin revealed his fangs and the mouth that Basile had just thoroughly kissed. “You never did lie worth a shit.” Heedless of his near-total nudity, he bent over, giving Basile a view of the long line of his back and the rounded curve of his buttocks. Unlacing his boots, he kicked them off and stepped the rest of the way out of his clothes. “I’m not lying,” Basile countered through his clenched jaw. He struggled to keep his gaze above Emil’s waist. “Besides, even if things were different, it’s too late. I’m returning to France.” “So you say, but you forget we have mail and vessels that cross the Atlantic now. They’re working on transatlantic telegraphs if we need to speak sooner. The war will be over soon and then I can come to France, or you can resume shipping back here. Things are completely different, and I wish you’d see that,” Emil said in a matter-of-fact tone. He didn’t plead, didn’t beg, though the raw need on his face and rampant erection testified to his sexual desire. Such was the way of mortals. Even in the face of certain doom they held such hope and optimism. Emil hadn’t yet developed the cynicism one gained after living for centuries. “It’s not that easy.” Sometime during the kiss his hair had come undone from its ribbon, and Basile dragged his fingers through the strands, freeing it the rest of the way. The tie fluttered to the floor. “Then make it that easy,” Emil challenged. He reached for Basile, cupping his hands around the man’s shaft, and even through the layers of clothing it throbbed to his touch. Basile bit back a groan.

“Tonight it is that easy. I think we both need this.” Emil knelt at Basile’s feet and unlaced his boots. He looked up, the desire and the need in his gaze humbling the Frenchman. He’d tried to remain dispassionate, damn it. He’d tried to put his own interests first. He couldn’t. Emil’s youthful optimism always wore him down. Basile removed his boots and faced Emil. Slowly, he brushed his thumb across the American’s full lower lip. “We both may need this, but it’s not going to change anything,” he whispered.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd. It’s all about the story… Action/Adventure Fantasy Historical Horror Mainstream Mystery/Suspense Non-Fiction Paranormal Red Hots! Romance Science Fiction Western Young Adult www.samhainpublishing.com

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